Jonathon Seagull

agile creature soars above
scavenging for dinner--
raucous cries begging for fries

High flying times

The cormorant perched high above the busy lake, on a birch that had lost its life, if not its beauty. Storms had ravaged the particularly susceptible branches. Climate change's wicked winds had shredded foliage, and the frail branches would not recover. On another day, during another summer storm, the branches will give up and the perch will be gone. In the meantime, they watch the skies.


Derrick thought that it was time for a poem. "I'm outta here!" he honked. Off he flew.
He nodded towards the Inukshuk he passed as he flew. Some two-legged one had been up to no good. Silly humans!

On this beautiful day at the bay, the feathered friends gathered beneath the birch, as they usually did, for a wine cooler, or beer, trout wraps, and a bit of a gab. Under the lee of the bushes they took a welcome break from the sun.
George had hiked in from aways away, he was glad to take a break. He hunkered down with the clan. He began looking for some greens, even though, "Greens aren't food, it's what food eats!" Beggars can't be choosers!

Then, the heron flew in, wearing her finest spandex, and fresh from strutting her stuff at the gym.

Everyone's heads turned. Her beauty makeover, undertaken when she had empty-nest syndrome, had worked well. She looked great.

Mog was appalled at the catty behaviour. People really can be cruel and stare. She said, "Don't look at me, I'm having a bad hair day!"
"Not so bad!" the ducks chimed in. "We're pretty scruffy today, too!" and they resumed their grooming.

In flew another couple of ducks. Guy was visiting with his little gander from Regina. "Lookin' fer skywatch photos," he said, camera in hand!

"Did you catch her bod?" asked Jain, nodding towards the slim heron.
"Yeah!" Bonnie, the artist, suggested, "You should see her house, though. It needs work. I could do wonders!"

The heron heard the whispers and took umbrage. About to order a diet drink, she flew her thin self off muttering, "Chumps!"



"Wow!" said Weaver, "When did she lose all that weight?"
"Not long ago. I saw her in the spring," Judy chirped in. . "We were at a fish and flower show and she just waddled by. She was eating a bouquet of lilacs."

Cloudia suggested, "Do you think she is living an Aloha life?"
They rolled their eyes, that lifestyle was for the snowbirds, in their opinion. Things became most unsettled.

"Hell's bells!" said David, giving them a look. "I'm outta here. Too much carp for me.
And off he flew.


"Yeah. What's with all that nonsense?", queried Griz.

"Idda know. Too many coolers!" said Travis. "Gimme a beer and a 'burger! Better huntin' & fishin' across the way." And off into the wild blue yonder these boys soared, too.

Meantime, Dizzy Lizzy said, "I should make her a card!" (She is so creative that way!)

"Where's Crafty Green Poet? She said she'd be here by now."
"Here she is!" EG honked, but she explained she had to fly off to take some more photos.

At the other end of the rock Cindy commented cynically, "As long as they fly safely!" She is so concerned about safety, as well she should. "Things are pretty fast around here."
She was just shaking in anger.

Yogi, also a transportation expert, echoed her sentiments, "Remember, somebody out there loves you. Fly safely!" he shouted from the top of his lungs.


Sitting quietly, on a near-by rock, thoughtfully contemplating it all, was Barrie. The kids were resting near-by.
She, too, was writing another story. "Come on," she told her kiddies as she hopped into the breeze-blown water, "Finish up your juice! Time to go. I feel another book coming on!"
Everyone fell into line, lickety split. Fair weather or foul, you can find them paddling along. Life is good.
~~~~~~
An explanation... I photographed the ducks in a drive-by shooting/canoeing. In my mind, as I watched them, I could hear them talking to each other. This was my inspiration. Then, I wondered how to laud my commenters and 20 followers. I miss the creativity teaching allowed me, and this is my outlet. My life has changed since writing my book, and I an reinventing myself. Thank you for visiting. I appreciate it!

Bala Falls- A Guest Post part 9

Much has been written and published about the Bala Falls Hydro Project. Since one side (those bitterly opposed to it) has had more coverage, and more money invested in it, than the other side, I thought I would post the full text of this letter-to-the-editor.

A different point of view.

By Mike Webb, resident on the Moon River, Bala Muskoka.

At risk of being lynched or labelled as someone who doesn’t care about the fate of the Moon River, there really is a point of view that runs contrary to the current popular position within the Bala community. Those of us that do have a more temperate or eco-friendly stance on whether or not there should be some hydro power utilization from the dam structures in town are probably in the minority, but we do have an opinion never-the-less. I care about the health of my Moon River very much as my home is closer to it than probably any one else and for a few weeks in spring every year I live “over the Moon”.

To address the “natural beauty” of the Bala Falls proponents, who would prefer hydro generation further down the river system and not in our backyard, I offer to take you downstream to Sandy Gray rapids or Flat Rock falls to see some real “natural beauty” on our river. Do not read in any way that I am diminishing the beauty of the north or south falls in town from this as that is not the intent. They do have a large man-made content, however.
The Muskoka Heritage Foundation/Muskoka Watershed Council supports the use of existing man-made dam structures for power generation rather than new construction on any natural rapids or falls in Muskoka. I happen to agree with them.

The Bala falls were a “natural falls” until about 1875 when dams were constructed to moderate water levels on Lake Muskoka for navigation. The river also benefited as spring time levels on the Moon varied up to sixteen feet before construction. Can any of us imagine the impact of a sixteen foot rise in water level now? My home would certainly be wiped out along with Park Road, River Street, Trafalgar Bay Road and how many more landmarks? There is a huge outcry now when the level is up four to six feet during the annual spring freshet. Wow! 16 feet!

Subsequent to navigation considerations this dependable head of water on Lake Muskoka was harnessed for electrical energy. First the Mill Stream then the north falls had generator facilities built. I grew up with the concrete pillbox generator facility adjacent to the falls, as did my father and my grandmother and indeed all of us who vacationed here for many of the last 90 years. Its presence until 1972 did not seem to dampen tourism or swimming or fishing as is being touted now. Old pictures will bear this out.
Hindsight would dictate that if the old plant had been repaired and modernized in 1972 this whole “save the falls” issue would be a non-issue.

Interesting, that the Bala Electric Light and Power Company, the builder and owner of these two facilities, was a private “for profit” company before being turned over to provincial authority in 1929. This point is mentioned to address the fact that we are a free enterprise country and either Ontario Hydro (OPG) or a private company could be selected to construct such a facility and hopefully do it for a profitable bottom line. I think I trust private enterprise over OPG (read taxpayer) in this matter!

Indeed the Mill Stream plant, originally built by Thomas Burgess, was refurbished and re-commissioned not that long ago by a private company to sell power to the grid to pay for their investment. I can recall town meetings on that project as well with noise, boat launch issues, construction, fish habitat, profiting from our water, etc, etc being the rhetoric of those meetings as well. That issue today is another non-issue.

Other public outcries in Bala I can recall are the water and sewer line modernization including the outflow pipe which dumps treated town sewage into the middle of our river. If ever there was a stage for a Moon River protest, it was that!
What with the town being torn up for months and traffic jams and dust and blasting, we and the businesses in town got through it and as a result of that public works project going ahead, now have cleaner water to swim and fish in because less untreated sewage flows into the river. An issue of concern back then but certainly a non-issue now.

To sum up my thoughts on whether or not I “support” or “advocate” a new electricity producing plant at the Bala falls might seem ambivalent.

Ideally I would like the status quo to prevail and not have any change to the area in question. However, I also recognize the need for all of us to do small steps to reverse the impact of non-renewable production of power. Coal fired electricity production must end and it is difficult for us to send a message to neighbours in the Ohio valley where there are new facilities being built to do just that, when we are objecting to a small scale step back in time to have a small footprint, renewable resource facility here in Bala. If you have not seen Al Gore’s,
An Inconvenient Truth. I urge you to see it.

From meetings I have attended, Swift River Energy Limited have addressed objections and dealt with questions in a very professional fashion and I feel very comfortable with their proposal and honesty. If this project goes ahead it will not be the end of tourism for Bala or the Moon River and in fact there probably would be lots of benefits we would look back on and say, well that was kind of a non-issue wasn’t it.

On-line News

Re: "Three arrested in Rideau Canal plunge that left four dead"
The Globe & Mail
*Recent stories have said that it was an honour killing. Pretty gruesome news. We just had a man convicted for killing his sister in Ottawa.
~~~~~~~~~~

Excellent that someone finally included a graphic in this story. Graphics are sadly missing in most on-line news. Something easily rectified. Newspapers used to be regional, or national (at least in theory!) but on-line requires a different sensibility.

I am glad that the comments section was closed, too. The Globe posted thos:
Can you imagine?
The journalists I speak to agree with me, as well. Otherwise, the media reduces articles to Facebook status where anyone and their cousins can post hurtful, uniformed notions and opinions and lies about a situation and the reader must cull through information to determine its veracity. I depend upon the journalist to provide a balanced, informed perspective. One based on research, as I would do if I had the time and the inclination to do so. (Which I often do, as you can tell!)

Why these people get away with posting hate messages directed towards the perpetrators or victims of crimes, or toward other commentors. It is really beyond me why they get this kind of byte.

I am amazed at the comments that are permitted to be posted on ALL stories. They really reduce the impact of the dignity of newspapers, such as The Globe & Mail. I am unsure why they post comments that do not rate printing in a newspaper. Why can't they have an editor make choices about who is printed? They allow commentors to rip apart each other, and each other's comments. I am one for a good debate, and have participated in one or two of my own, but this becomes mud slinging contests, as is the way on-line.

I seriously think that on-line news is going to have to rethink the means and methods of presenting news. Their mistake was making their 'newspapers' available for free on-line. Another mistake, is for a print source, originally a newspaper, to post extensive videos that take a long time to load. Or HUGE graphics, ads and images that take a long time to load.

Print newspapers are losing money, and culling staff. They are reducing the amount, the quality, and the type of information we receive. The direction some have taken has gone from experienced writers, with strong training in journalism, and backgrounds in health, education, and the like, to sob stories about sad events in people's lives that include opinions and interpret a story.

There are exceptions, for sure. Judy Steed's one-year sabbatical* on Senior Health Care allowed her to explore world trends. But that, still, does not give her an expertise in Canadian politics of health care, which are tense, indeed. LHINs are cutting hospital beds, Even the US, in President Obama's attempt at health care reform is facing opposition and dirty politics.

I wait, anxiously, to see the direction in which the media takes as they cut small town, local and regional reporters to save money. There has to be a better way around this.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~
*2008 Atkinson Fellowship series: Boomer Tsunami by Judy Steed

She also writes a regular column:

Putting to rest fear of `a home'

Judy Steed July 18, 2009
It's a fact that most of us dread "ending up" in a nursing home.

Watery Wednesday #45

These days, every day is watery for me. My routine includes checking the waves, which tells me the kind of day it will be. For the second day in a row their was barely a ripple on the water. They have been perfect summer days, despite my traffic complaints (sorry!). I went for another canoe ride, no turtle!

Along my trip I spotted this.
Can you guess what it is?


This poor creature has been harassed all week by boaters who aim for it. I did not think I was such a threat, but off it floated into the air for safety.









A cormorant just taking off. I had seen it yesterday in a dead tree, perched far from the madding crowd.
I kept on moving.

The bird songs were echoing across the lagoon.

The forest was throwing their songs up to the universe.

The bugs dancing on the water getting the fish excited.


A loon popped up 5' from where I sat in a quiet meditation on the velvety liquid.

I was too slow with the camera, but you can picture it, can't you? It dove to escape me, dunno who was more surprised! I caught it when it had swum underwater quite a piece away.

The gentle breeze blew me along while I gazed in awe at nature's creation. It smelled green, moist and fresh. The wind danced amongst the leaves.

I made my way home to chores; scraping paint, sanding in preparation for painting the cottage, and brought in my laundry.

I thought I might post a video for contrast: the way the water looked in April, when Eddie (R.I.P.) was courting Eva and the ice was on the lake. They were joined by Anne & Gilbert, another pair of geese who always arrive later, getting the males 'all sexed up', as my late mother used to say! The men insisted the women stay away from each other. The ritual was a hoot.
I had fun with this, my son was in the musical company in PEI when the CD was taped.

Fearmongering Bala Falls Part 8

And still they lobby.

Much has been published about Bala Falls Hydro Project. Much time, energy, attention and press coverage. One letter-to-the-editor (see link below) predicts doom and gloom for Bala. What is a town? Memories of young days at the falls? I took my kids there, now all in their twenties, but that is not what Bala is all about. I think not.

Norah Fountain has written about this, and What's Up Muskoka has published her timeline of the process for the SREL project. To compare site layout options, click here

Our delightful town is much more than just the tourist attraction of the falls. It is cottaging, the lakes, the people and the panoramic views all over this huge Muskoka. It is made up of various founding families, and business owners who contribute to the flavour of the town: from the Docktail fudge, to the Cottage Dreams gifts, the Falls culinary delights, ice cream at Ice Dreams, Don's Bakery, beautiful art at Iroquois Artisans, the Cranberry Festival, and the wraps or salads at Annie's. All who serve with joy, a smile, and a pleasant chat.

Port Carling was down to one bridge lane for most of the winter. They survived. Gravenhurst survived it's one-lane repaving. If Bala is only considered marketable due to the falls then we are in serious trouble indeed. With several stores for sale and many for rent, some empty for years, I think any problems Bala has do not originate from this issue. All stakeholders have to see the bigger picture. The misinformation, fearmongering, and out and out lies must stop. A reality check is required. You can look to the past through rose-coloured glasses, or create a vision of the future.

McGuinty was elected with a platform to reduce coal-fired generators, and he is doing so. This is an opportunity for the town to develop and grow. Seize the day!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
To read more, go to:
Bala Falls Hydro Project posts
I decided to stop posting about this on My Muskoka blog, since it is an opinion piece, with divided opinions!

Government
The levels of government with whom they must entertain discourse. This is a provincial initiative, with strict standards and an approval process that depends up several government standards. There are the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act requirements. The project is also subject to provincial authority under Ontario’s Environmental Assessment Act (O.Reg. 116/01).
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
We can honour what has been, and look towards the future.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The politicians involved include:

• Mr. McGuinty -Premier of Ontario (www.premier.gov.on.ca/feedback);
• Minister of Natural Resources Donna Cansfield (dcansfield.mpp@liberal.ola.org;
• Minister of Energy and Infrastructure George Smitherman (gsmitherman.mpp@liberal.ola.org);
• Minister of the Environment John Gerretson (jgerretsen.mpp@liberal.ola.org).

~~~~~~~
Letter to the editor: BR Banner

Writer fears Bala Falls headed for disaster

"I would like to let you know that something very destructive is on the verge of happening in the beautiful Canadian heritage of the Muskoka lakes."

My World Tuesday

It was a beautiful day today. The lake was like a mirror.
From the smallest beetle, to the beautiful birds, all the creatures are so interesting.




The beetle has golds and greens.


















The wing span of the heron amazing.





The snapping turtle was huge.
He looks like an ancient creature. Last year I saw one with a severely damaged shell. Slow down out there!

Garden of delights

A season of bliss
Together we created beauty
I led and you followed me
into the garden
I turned and handed you the torch
You took it up
I followed you in the dance
Together we prepared the garden
Tilled the soil
Pulled out the weeds
Then we planted our roots
Ensured that our rootkins were firmly grounded
We watched as they began to grow
Stood side by side as they blossomed

My roots go deep in this garden
I am the red poppy
growing tall and strong
Crimson petals waft in the breeze
Each year roots more firmly embedded in the earth

You are the lobelia
Beautiful deep blue face
with a hint of sunlight at the center
Lying close to the ground for protection
Uprooted at the end of the season
Removed from the strong winter
winds and cold snow

The seeds hold the promise of spring
I honour your spirit and lift you up even higher
You would not do well in rectangular window boxes
Walled in by 2 x 4's you would become rootbound and listless
You need fresh soil each year
A new outlook
Inspiration for your creative spirit
Freedom

We´ve shared much in this garden
But will you uproot yourself again?
Hesitantly I pick up the phone
Anxious for contact
Afraid to crowd your deep blue flowers
My slender leaves tremble in the wind
I stand back so as not to suck away your energy
Harm your shallow roots
My heart filled with ecstasy

Our rootkins blossomed
They filled our garden with colour
The simple but matter-of-fact tulip
The tall strong gold and white of the daisy
The deep purple calla lily that stands so proudly
The scented purple of the lavender bush
The orange and yellow of the primrose
The sights and smells and sounds
of our garden overwhelmed me

And you, my friend
You changed faces every few minutes
Sometimes you are the tiger lily
Glowing golden face
Or the clown-faced yellow pansy
Freckles beaming in the sun
Then you are the raven
the blue-black iris
Strong, alone and proud
Throwing me small offerings of love

I wondered if I was drowning
Stopped myself begging again for small moments
I built up a wall around me
It saved me from plummeting into the abyss
A hole I'd fallen into before
Just friends, but no friendship time
Discouraged and pale I fought my disease
The days were long
The nights were longer

I remained rooted and bound in strength
We grew strong as the love was shared
But you held back your heart
I sought courage
Then we found time for friendship

I could just be the me that I am
Not the roles I usually play
You too left your other faces behind
The sunshine of our friendship soothes my weary soul
Our combined energy has opened up my fearful buds

For a moment we danced in the wind in bliss
I stand tall and poised in this garden
Your gift of courage has not been wasted
My proud red face stretched towards the light
Absorbing life-giving rays
The hummingbirds visit me
They move from flower to flower
In erratic frenzy sucking up life-giving energy
Buzzing fiercely to remain aloft
Gently sipping the nectar
Casually tossing me morning pleasantries
Sharing the garden with the bees

You cannot fulfil my needs or desires
I am content to share a piece of this garden
Laughter and soul-to-soul hugs
We shall snatch moments
Even as the clouds gather
The rain washes over me

Climate change in our world

What a sad situation. Here in Central Ontario we have cool temperatures. We have had only one day above 30 degrees C., when 'normal' is 9 days be this point in the summer season.

The north and the west are dry. Northern Ontario had a horrible tornado last week. They have had 7 mm of rain, when 'normal' is 52mm. Three men died when the tornado ripped the hunting cabins off of the ground.

Then out in British Columbia (the far west of Canada)...
6 choppers, 8 bombers, 610 firefighters because Kelowna is under seige. Praise to our firefighters. Today, Monday, only 40% is under control. The trees 'candle' sending flames from tree top to tree top.

What is amazing are the ridiculous comments, the blaming, the diatribes. Then those who nay say Global Warming!

Environment Canada says that we are the 2nd coldest country in the world, but these extremes are amazing. The forest fires are said to be due to lightning, not humans, which is a relief. Compared to 2008 - there were 165 forest fires. This year we are up to 309. Terribly difficult situation.

I would like to laud our First Responders. They work so hard. Be careful with your bonfires. Respect the environment.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Three confirmed dead after tornado hits fishing camp - Kenora ...

13 Jul 2009 ... Three confirmed dead after tornado hits fishing camp ... All three men, from Oklahoma, were staying in one of two cabins destroyed by the tornado.

A burning city's 'worst nightmare'

"Raging fires force 11,000 West Kelowna residents to leave and put 6,000 more on alert as the are faces haunting reminder of 2003 blaze that destroyed more than 200 homes."

Raging B.C. wildfire forces thousands to flee
About 5,000 residents were forced to flee their homes Saturday as fire crews battled a wildfire burning across two square kilometres of West Kelowna, in B.C.'s Okanagan region.

Snapping turtles

I was hanging my laundry the other day, gazing out over the still lake, and noticed that tell-tale triangle in the water. You can spot it in the top right of the photo. As a child in the 60s, I was intrigued by changes in the water and things that swam by. As I get older I find fewer creatures and more detritus.

It was a snapping turtle peeking out at the world, checking for predators or prey.
Yes, some people eat them. Some boaters run over them. I spotted one a couple of years ago. It was sitting under a bush in knee-deep water, waiting for prey.

The shell, instead of its beautifully shaped, distinct pattern, had bone-coloured gashes. I silently apologized for the two-legged ones who did this. A boat motor is the only possible solution.

With great excitement, I travelled in my canoe. Monday, fairly quiet. The tourists had been running fireworks the previous night, and up till well past 11:00. I decided to capture some meditation time on the water. There was no wind. Screaming kids and speeding boats were silent.

Paddling quietly, passing a few female cottagers who were sitting on their docks reading in the sun, or simply reflecting, I was amazed.

I saw a rock. Sometimes a rock is only a rock. Sometimes it is a camouflaged duckling, hunkering down far from the madding crowd. In this case, it was the biggest snapper I have ever seen. Huge, massive ancient. I would imagine 50 lbs. or so, and they can grow to 70 lbs., McMaster U., says.

This is little Patch, the one-eyed snapper that lived in our frog pond for the past 3 years. They are not sexually mature until they are five years old. The females can hold sperm in their reproductive tract until May, when they leave the water to lay eggs. In Muskoka, you often find them crossing the road for that purpose. It is dangerous, as you can see.


Sometimes you just have to let it all hang out. It is a cold-blooded critter digesting breakfast in the quiet morning sun, around 10:00 a.m. on a Monday morning. Omnivores, they eat anything, much like our frogs that eat each other! (e.g., It eats earthworms, leeches, snails, insects, crayfish, fiddler crabs, frogs and toads; anything it can capture or even scavenge. The larger snapper can capture fish, snakes, and sometimes waterbirds.)
They have a soft underbelly, which is how the raccoon managed to eat Patch. I found its bones in the forest.

The skins is bumpy and rough. This little guy lived a good life in our frog pond. It had dug itself up, with 10 - 30 siblings around, and made its way from the sandy road side somewhere, to live in our pond. The eggs are the size of ping-pong balls.


The newly hatched are just precious, but vulnerable to all sorts of critters.
I spotted this one at the shore. My toes give a sense of the size of them!

Their tales are rough, not dissimilar to toads! They have wicked jaws that will rip apart anything. I remember, as a child, stories of our neighbours who lost their lake trout to them, hanging off stringers beside theit boats. They have no teeth, but powerfully sharp edges.

Here is Patch's shell, eaten away by bugs. I am both fascinated and sad.











The photo shows the broken shell of another snapping turtle.
Here is my iMovie of this massive turtle, spotted June 20, 2009.