We are starting to notice a slight hint of fall.  The mornings are very cool and there is an ever so slight change in the leaves from full and deep bright green, to a tinge of yellow. 

Low Fog over Jordan Bay

  
This a.m. we woke to a ribbon of fog hanging as if by a thread, low and bright over the Lockeport coastline.

Ever changing Fog on Jordan Bay

Peter thought he saw a whale this morning.  Or could it have been a seal?  The seals are now visiting on a regular basis. Local fishermen do not like the seals because they eat fish.  To us, the presence of seals does suggest fish in Jordan Bay.  At one point in time, Jordan Bay was a mecca for fishing.  It only took a decade or so to wipe out the fishery.  Now, the bay is  peaceful and calm with the occasional moss dory, mackerel boat, canoe or kayak.  

Looking Southeast to Lockeport at Bay Fog

Grand View of Jordan Bay

One of the fun aspects of summer in Canada is the ability to have a good old fashioned campfire.  Peter often makes dinner over the campfire.  Last night after dinner, we roasted a few Jet Puff Marshmallows. 

Heading in from the campfire, I walked toward the sun starting to set in the Western sky.

Cooper

Toasting up nicely . . .

Outside, Damsel Fly

In the absence of  Florida lizards to chase, a Damsel Fly is a suitable substitute for Cooper.  He found great joy in catching a hapless creature this afternoon.  Of course, I was unable to rescue the fly and so decided it was time to take all three dogs out for a walk to inspect Peter’s handiwork in the Meadow.  

Rock Wall separating Meadow  (left) from Lawn (right)

Looking up at The Lawn

As you might imagine this is a fun lawn to mow.  In truth, it’s been more fun for me than the Nordic Track.   I sleep exceptionally well at night after mowing the lawn.  

Reclaimed Meadow

View from The Meadow of the Lawn and Cottage

Meadow view up to the Cottage

Also, I do not mow at home in Florida, so working here is a change of pace.  But honestly, I cannot imagine mowing this lawn with a 20 inch gas mower, all summer long!  

It’s interesting that mowing is such a satisfying activity. You can see your progress immediately.  On the down side, you can also see areas recently mowed, growing, again.  😦  The hidden bonus, aside from exercise, is when you roll over a small evergreen tree, you get a burst of Christmas fragrance.  There are young blueberry and bayberry plants in the lawn and when mowed they let off a completely different, yet incomparable berry smell. And then, of course, there is the summer sweet smell of freshly mowed grass.  .  .

Rock Wall

A Hollow in the Woods at the edge of the Meadow

After reading this week’s edition of The Coast Guard, it occurred to me that I could not neglect to mention Shag Harbour.  This is especially true in light of the event that occurred last summer while we were at the cottage.  It was well after dark and we heard a very loud BOOM.  I asked Peter what it was and he said thunder.  His answer satisfied me and I did not give the sound a second thought until I realized it was not raining outside the cottage at that time.  Turns out it was a massive meteor, or was it???  Could it have been another incident, like Shag Harbour?? 

Read the stories below and you decide . . .  Oh, and if this gives you yet another good reason to visit Shelburne one day, well, I understand completely.  

Updated: Meteor likely cause of mysterious booms

Big Boom

 

Published on August 13, 2012

Greg Bennett

It’s looking more and more like a meteor was the cause of a loud mysterious boom heard Sunday night by people across western Nova Scotia.

Several witnesses are describing an object with a fiery green tail that flew across the skyline. David Landry was in Dartmouth when he watched the bright object hurtle across the sky over the Halifax bridges and towards the west shortly after 11 p.m.

He said the object was “much bigger and closer” than any meteorite he had ever seen before.
Moments later people in western Nova Scotia reported hearing the booms and seeing flashes of light.
Shortly after 11 p.m. people from Liverpool to Yarmouth County and beyond reported seeing flashes of light and hearing booms. Some reported hearing two booms, a large boom followed by a smaller boom. 

Unlike a lightning bolt, this flashing bluish light was reported to last for more than 30 seconds and the “thunder” was heard and felt for more than 100 miles.
Barry Clark, a professor of Earth Sciences at Dalhousie University, says the event was likely caused by a meteor entering the atmosphere.

Clark said it was interesting that the boom happened during the peak of the annual Perseid meteor shower, an event that was hidden by heavy clouds and rain over Nova Scotia.

From NovaNewsNow.com & the Coast Guard

By Kathy Johnson
Published on August 6, 2013

The story of the 1967 Shag Harbour UFO incident is continuing to unfold almost half a century after the unexplained splashdown happened in the waters of Cockawit Pass.

This weekend during the annual Shag Harbour Incident Festival, new eyewitness accounts will be told and the prelude to another book on the Shag Harbour Incident will be unveiled.

The festival begins Saturday, Aug. 10 with a full day of activities on tap at the Shag Harbour UFO Interpretive Centre, starting with an eat in or take out breakfast from 7 to 9 a.m.  The grill will getting fired up at 10 a.m. for a barbecue, while Maria Adams will be offering face painting for children. An alien fashion show and a kitchen party are also on tap as part of the day’s activities.

Site of the UFO incident, Shag Harbour

 
Esteemed UFO researchers and authors Graham Sims and Chris Styles will be at the centre throughout the day, talking about their research and the new book on the Shag Harbour incident that is being released this fall, Impact to Contact. 

Styles and Sims will also be at the centre again on Sunday at 1 p.m. to present UFO Talks. The centre will also host a barbecue on Sunday.

New witness accounts of the incident will also be told during the festival at the centre. “It should be exciting,” said Cindy Nickerson, president of the Shag Harbour Incident Society.  
Alien treats are also being cooked up at the centre as well as Captain Wayne’s Restaurant in Woods Harbour in celebration of the festival.

Anyone wanting more information of the festival or to register for an event can contact the centre at 902-723-0244.

Maria Adams, guide at the Shag Harbour UFO Interpretive Centre, poses with the centre’s mascot, Alvin, who is sporting a hologram alien scarf, knit by a fan from Florida. The centre is hosting the annual Incident Festival this weekend.

And, no,  I DID NOT KNIT ALVIN’S SCARF!

August 6, 2013

We had to go to town to get gas for the little lawn mower anyway so today, we made a point of visiting the Boxing Rock Brewing Company.  The Brewery is new to Shelburne and a definite must see place. You turn off the Ohio Road and onto a long driveway.  At the side of the drive is this fantastic old boat:

Then further up the drive you come upon the building which is the large brewery connected to this smaller, storefront.  The same nice girl who sold me the Growler at the Saturday market was there to help us with our refill this afternoon.

Our first Growler contained Hunky Dory pale ale.  Today, Peter chose, Temptation, Red Ale. 

Peter’s New Growler

Then, I peaked into the Brewery and snapped a photo of the Brew Vats!  All and all we had an amazing and fun visit to Boxing Rock Brewing Company.  I recommend you visit the next time you find yourself in Shelburne, Nova Scotia, Canada.  To learn more about the Boxing Rock Brewing Co., visit their website: http://boxingrock.ca/

Of course, if you cannot make it to the Brewery, then at least have a beer.  This is yet another good reason to visit us one summer day in Shelburne!

And finally, from the Boxing Rock website I learned how they got their name:  

According to local Folklore, Boxing Rock is where bickering seamen were left by their captain to sort out their differences.  The choice:  box until only one would return to the ship or shake hands and share a beer.  

Either way, there’s only a few short hours until high tide . . . 
We say drink up.  

Empty Growlers

Sunrise, August 6, 2013

I woke early enough this a.m. to catch this serene sunrise over the Bay.  There was a cool morning breeze blowing through the open windows.  This is as close to a fresh fall day that I can remember.  I wish we were staying here through October.  Alas, we are on our last week at Grandview.   

Still Rising at 10 a.m.

Afternoon Clouds

Today the EX begins with a full line up activities stretching though to Sunday.  We are planning to go and check it out sometime, this week.  

For the past several days, we have been obsessed with the property.  It will take a full week for me to completely mow it all.  I am the mower.  Peter does everything else.  His main focus has been to reclaim the Old Meadow.  We would one day like to plant wine grapes in the meadow.  First we need to get it back into Meadow form.  All it took was a few years without any mowing and viola! it’s almost a forest.  Peter enjoys the vigorous workout clearing the bush.   In spite of the endless amount of lawn to mow, I like the satisfaction of seeing progress!  Plus, I don’t have to use the Nordic Track on lawn days 🙂

Bird Box

Yesterday was so beautiful and breezy that I took lots of photographs.  Every night before we go to bed we take the dogs out and spend a little time Star Gazing.  Our location has no light pollution and this week there has not been a moon.  As a result, the night sky has been incomparable.  The Milky Way is clearly visible.   Major constellations, such as the Big  and Little Dippers hang large and bright in the night sky.  I keep thinking we should just lay out on the lawn and star gaze.  Maybe one night we will do just that.  I wish my IPhone Camera could capture the starry night sky so that I could post a photograph here.  Sadly, it cannot and even my little Nikon camera cannot manage that task.  You will have to just imagine the dark, dark sky sprinkled with millions of bright shiny stars. . .

Clouds

Clouds over the Bay

Jordan Bay at The Meadow

Clouds

Chewie aka Chewchie!

August 4, 2013

It is possible that Chewie, Cooper and Nutter Butter love Grandview better than any of us.  For the dogs its endless freedom.  There are voles to find, grasshoppers to chase and lots of grass and dirt to roll in.  Several times a day we walk along the property with them watching their antics.  It’s fun to explore with them down by the well, up on the patio, and over near the rock wall.   We watch them race down the hill and back up toward the cottage.  Some days when the wind is just right you can hear a neighbor’s dog bark.  Of course, our three love to carry on barking wind conversations with the neighbor dog.

Cooper

All three of our dogs have a little training.  They come when called and sit on command.  They definitely know the word:  COOKIE.  We are very proud of their good manners, except when they are here on the property.  What we find is Cooper and Nutty Bee come when called and generally behave as expected.  Chewie, on the other hand, can often be a Bad Dog.  Sweet, shy Chewie does not mean to be a Bad Dog, it’s just that he gets carried away sniffing all the good things about the property.  It’s as though he has selective hearing.  Even the word cookie does not get his attention.  

Nutter Butter

For example, we call them to come inside the cottage.  Cooper and Nutty come running.   Chewie lags behind.  We look out the screen door and there’s Chewie, sniffing something under a tree or maybe sitting in the grass  One of us will have to walk out to get him and when we do he reliably lays down and rolls over to show off his pink tummy.  Chewchie!  You are a Bad Dog! 

Bad Dog, Chewie!

This has been going on since we arrived and, quite frankly, it has gotten old, fast.  Then, last night, quite by accident, I solved the problem.  Last night we all went out and Chewie brought one of his favorite squeaky toys with him.  He dropped it in the grass and I picked it up.  I could see that he was excited by the fact that I had his toy.  When it was time to go inside, I stood in the doorway and called COME!.  Cooper and Nutty raced inside.  Chewie just ignored my call.  Then, I squeaked Chewie’s  toy.  Suddenly, Chew looked up and raced to the door!  He literally flew inside the cottage! Good Dog Chewie!  I gave him a treat to reinforce his good behavior.  We tried calling him this way several more times and the squeaky toy technique seems to be the answer to the Bad Dog problem.  At last, we have three Good Dogs and zero Bad Dogs.  What a relief!

Good Dog, Chewie!

We plan all year for our summer vacation in Canada. We talk about Grandview all winter long.  Finally, it’s time to pack the car with stuff and the dogs and start out on the long drive. Prior to departure, I generally have some doubts.  It would be so much easier just to stay home.  But, with plans in place we push ahead.   The road trip is an enjoyable change of pace.  We arrive and it takes several days to decompress.  Then a few more days to stop thinking about family,  Hobe Sound, the house, my work, our garden.  The list goes on . . . It’s difficult to let it all go.  Insecurities and concerns creep in and roll around inside my head.  Then one morning I wake up and, as if by magic, all I can think about it picking blueberries, or going kayaking.  Maybe it’s a good day to take a walk in a yet unexplored part of the woods?  What a relief to feel the magic of the place wash over me and clear out all the issues, doubts, problems, concerns . . .

We are here and now all we have to do is fall into the rhythm of the place.   Is it important that by current standards this place is rather basic?  Peter describes it as one click above camping.  Yes, the carpeting is worn.  The bath is in need of a face lift.  The kitchen cabinets squeak.  The screen door slams shut.  The question is: what really matters?  Would the cottage be a better place if it had granite counter tops and a gas range?  Would air conditioning make  a better cottage?  Somehow, I think not. 

As I have grown older, my reality has changed.  My focus is very different.  If the cottage had air conditioning I would not hear the surf on the rocks as I fall asleep at night.  I would miss the loons call, or the crunch of  gravel as a friend rolls up the drive.   I do not believe I can make a better pizza in a new oven vs our vintage little sears model.  Would it really be better if  the ceiling were raised and if we had a barn or a garage??

Of course, all that would be nice as it’s nice to have a washer and a dryer, but at the end of the day, I would not change anything if by changing it I could not be here.  Yes, it’s a simple place and  it turns out that simple is very nice.  There is real comfort in simple.  Simple is another form of magic.  It’s just not that easy to recognize, at first glance. 

Saturday, August 3, 2013

Aside from Jordan Bay and the animals that visit the property, there are many interesting things to discover around the cottage.   One summer we found an empty bird’s nest.  

A variety of wild flowers and unusual plants pepper the landscape.   Today I noticed this delicate red fungus growing on an old tree stump.  We have lost a lot of trees over the years due to disease.  When they die they must be cut down or they topple over.  When they topple, the roots are exposed and you can always count on finding wild raspberries growing in the root base. 

Shells and sea glass often appear on the sandy beach at low tide.  The sea gulls catch crabs and drop them on Queen Rock for a meal. The large rocks are littered with bits of  crab, baked red by the sun.

When I walk the beach in Hobe Sound, I only find broken sand dollars on the sand.  It’s hard to imagine finding a whole, unbroken sand dollar on this rocky coast.  Amazingly, here is one we found last summer. 

While mowing this afternoon I discovered bunches of blackberries! They will ripen after we are gone and so the deer and birds will enjoy them in our absence. 

When you visit us, be sure to look for this rock in the lawn.  Peter freshens the red paint every year.  It’s our Direction North. 

Or, if you prefer, walk down the lawn to the Bay and search for rocks that do not need  paint to be beautiful.  No doubt, you will find many at the water’s edge.