We're having a real old fashion summer weather wise. It has been great all month. It mostly rains at night just like it should in my rule book. Even when it rains during the day it's not bad. There is nothing wrong with 20 minutes of rain and 12 hours of sun and heat. I'm sure pregnant woman everywhere are disagreeing with me but that too will change.

There are lots of people around. Trucks with trailers and boats are passing by constantly. The parks are full or nearly full. There have been a few ATVer's out this last week or so. But the water is so warm and the beach is so nice I can understand why riding may not be the first choice for an activity.

I has to go to Oshawa for a day to babysit my two grandsons. I arrived home unscathed and both boys survived an overnight with Gramma with only a few minor incidents and lots of spoiling.

Not too many bone head plays lately and no touching stories this week. Most were done by me and I am not sharing with the class. I still want you to think that Bullwinkle the cat is the village idiot, not me.

However one small story I can't resist. My son-in-law loaned me his trail camera so that I could mount it to a tree and take pictures of the deer feeding in the yard behind the diner. So, as I am technically challenged I passed the camera over to Martin to fiddle with it and see how it worked. Not being much better than me after a day or two we finally got it sorted out. Well we were having some cloudy periods with a thunder storm and I couldn't figure out why there were so many flashes of light and mostly behind me. After a day I realized that the camera was in the on position and every time I reached over it, it was activated and would flash a picture every 60 seconds. I now have about 40 pictures of the ceiling and the camera is still not mounted on a tree. I'm sure they will be good quality pictures when I figure out how to get them out of the camera!!! That is the only down side to your children growing up and moving away. There is no one to reprogram and run all this technical junk that we "have to have".

I thought that I was going to have to replace a speaker because after a storm a week or two ago it was all static and could not be used. But lo and behold after a thunder storm and lightning (not the trail cam) this week the speaker is now working better than ever. Now that is my kind of electronic device. Self repairing. You've gotta love it!!

I have decided for a number of reasons to cancel the September ATV ride.

The general store continues to be a hub of activity and is now open until 8:00 pm every day but Sunday. They even have gas and cigarettes. That is making lots of people happy. They increase their stock weekly and it is looking good in there now.

The paving is starting soon on Hwy 62 so the road will be good again for a few years. The wild turkeys are still roaming around with the baby chicks and the deer and the antelope play. Life in Lake St. Peter is good.

Well that's all the news that's fit to print. Hope to see you soon.

Cheers
Nancy

July is turning out to be not a bad month. Good weather for the most part. Yes I do consider a heat wave good weather. For the first time in the restaurant business that I can remember it was actually hotter outside than in the kitchen. We had to close the door to keep the heat out. The kitchen door is always open unless it's snowing.

The lake is really warm, the people are happy and smiling, the mosquitoes are happy and smiling. It doesn't get any better than that.

This is old news because it happened a week ago but I have had two firsts last week. The grass was getting very long and I had to suck it up and cut it myself. So my daughter delivered their riding lawn mower, we unloaded it with the help of Kevin A from the trailer park because we couldn't get the truck close enough to the hill and away I went. Well after a bit of trial and error off I went. I was very nervous at first but I figured I've been riding sleds and ATV's for years how scary can this be. As it turns out once you get the hang of it not scary at all. However those indestructible dog bones-ha I think not, and who knew orange snow fence could fly so far. So after all was said and done I rode my little orange tractor around the fence to Marty's and had a cold one with him. Well that's what he always does when he is finished I just thought that must be part of the job. Turns out I was right. Go figure!!!

My next feat was to make a pot of coffee at home. Now I can throw together a dinner for 50 without breaking into a sweat but ask me to make a pot of coffee in a non-commercial coffee maker and I get the shakes. Well after only two phone calls (one to find out how it turns on) I was able to make a half decent cup of coffee for a guest I had coming over one morning. Now, a second cup was not asked for but I'm sure it had nothing to do with the quality. If I'm lucky it will be another 56 years before I have to do that again. I don't like the pressure.

There haven't been many ATV's out this summer but lots of people that have just found out that the riding is great here.

Diane and Shamus area going a great job since they have taken the store back over. We can call it a convenience store again not an inconvenience store. They even have gas if you can imagine, they are open past 4 o'clock and not closed because of the flu on Sundays.

The music is still going strong on Saturday evenings starting at 6:30. We have a few new people playing this summer. Here's hoping they are good. My screening process is a little slack but we have been pretty lucky so far.

Thanks to Connie and Jim for having me over for cocktails a swim and the boat ride. It was a great time. I hope I was a good girl and can come back again. Thanks also to Brian and Jim for installing the AC in the dining room window.

Now is that soccer finally over? I have seen more soccer in the last few weeks than in my whole life. It was nice to have some fans in to watch the games though. Most of the time they were all cheering for the same team so there were no bar room brawls.

Well I'd better run. There are dinner people in and looking for service.

Back when something more exciting than me cutting the grass happens.

Cheers
Nancy

Happy Canada Day

Another long weekend (sort of) is here. Please if you are coming north this weekend would you do a sun dance or at least bring some hot weather.

If I ever get around to cutting the grass I'll need a hay baler. At least the wild flowers growing in the lawn look nice. And my tomatoes are going to be as tall as me soon. Oh I may have to put the planters on the deck to get that.

No excitement while I was away. Every body played nicely and there were no incidents. The only excitement this week was the rescue of the four kids that rolled a 4 wheeler over down a bank on Hwy 127. Four kids 2 about 14-15 and 2 about 8-10 were let out alone on two
atv's for a days adventure. They ended up in Lake St. Peter from Benoir Lake which is a fair trip. They were trying to get to Helmers Rd. so the drove down the Hwy. What the hell were the parents thinking!!!! Oh ya they were back at the rented cottage. The bike rolled down a bank at a culvert. Myself and three others helped get the bike out of the creek and I drove the kids back home. No one was hurt too much. Grandpa might not be too happy when his bike comes home though. Oh well it takes all kinds I guess.

Now for the good news, bad news. The general store up the highway has gone to power of sale sort of. The previous owners Dianne and Shamus will be taking it back over. It's a shame to see anyone lose their business but it will sure be nice to have a gas station back in town. They will also have more stuff in the food dept. It may take them a while to get all the shelves full again but I'm sure they will do a good job. They are back July 1 and the gas tank has already been filled.

I haven't been doing much deck research this week but the flies don't seem to be too bad which is good because the mosquitoes have come out to help. Until the temperature gets back closer to 30 degrees I'll be doing my research from inside the house for a while. I don't mind taking one for the team but let's not get silly.

Well here's hoping you head up north soon. We will be here waiting.

Cheers
Nancy

It was a fairly quiet weekend in LSP last week. But I'm happy to report that the weather has smartened up some days so that the black fly research can continue on the deck.

My findings for this week-THEY'RE STILL HERE!!!!! Not so bad though. On Sunday when it was hot they weren't bad at all during the day but just after dinner when my guests and I were sitting outside they got a little friendly. Oh well it was time for them to go home any way.

The Wal-Mart sign is still causing alot of buzz. He He He.

Our little neighbourhood turkey now has four chicks. If she doesn't stop crossing the highway she won't have any soon.

If anything really exciting has happened lately I either forgot about it or missed it completely. The farmers market in Maynooth is doing really well on Saturday mornings. There is a guy there that sells homemade bread that is made is a stone or clay (whatever) oven outside. Last Friday he baked 40 loaves of bread outside in the rain. Oh is it ever good. He sells out by about 10:00 each Saturday. The homemade jams and stuff are also good. One couple sell Diabetic jam and lots of it.

When I publish next week it will just be rumors and hearsay. I am heading down to Nova Scotia tomorrow to see my grandson. It has been almost year. At least they are getting closer to home with each move. An hour and a half plane ride is much better than the flight to Reno. Much less expensive too. He works away in Mongolia so his sister and I are visiting while he is gone. At least I won't be getting into any trouble this trip with two pregnant women and a three year old. Oh who am I trying to kid. Trouble follows me everywhere I go especially when I'm with my daughter.

Well back next week with more news from down town Lake St. Peter.

Cheers
Nancy

Just another day in happy land.

I would like to know who turned the heat down. It would be appreciated by all if you would turn it back up!!

It has been quite cold of late. At least most days are sunny so that is not too bad. Not too much rain lately, just threats. So I guess the weather man is finally right with his daily forecast of partly sunny with a chance of showers. Rewind and play for 6 months until it changes to partly sunny with a chance of flurries.

Well my sad and touching story today is there is no sad and touching story nor were there any bonehead plays this weekend. I thought for sure that with Jim and Brian having a guys weekend ATVing that something exciting would have happened. But alas they let me down.

We had a great Friday night with Jane, Bob and Victor. All of their biggest fans showed up for the farewell performance. We had a blast. They played until after 11 and a good time was had by all.

The black fly report is looking good. They haven't been bad at all for the last little while. Now they may have headed to Florida for a few weeks until we get the heat thing figured out. Sadly I have not been able to continue my wine on the deck research because if the cool nights lately but rest assured I am keeping in shape by partaking in the house where there usually aren't many black flies but research must continue!!

It's still quite during the week but I'm seeing more cottagers each week.

Not much more to report. Of course I'll think of something as soon as I log off.

Back next week unless something earth shattering happens.

Cheers
Nancy

Another great week in the wilds of Lake St. Peter. A little rain has freshened everything up and the gardens are looking great. Not mine in particular because I think that gardening is an extension of house work and I don't like to do either. I can't believe that some people actually think that it is therapy. It's just another chore to me. Volunteers encouraged!!

We are looking forward to another great weekend. We have a special treat this Friday night. Bob, Jane and Victor are playing. It's kind of their farewell performance as Bob and Jane will be moving to Nova Scotia shortly. We will miss them. They are great performers. I hope that they hook up with someone down there and continue to entertain. Now if we could just get Victor to partner up with someone else that would be a real treat.

The log home on the lodge property is up now and looks great. Not to be outdone by the Wal Mart story but Honeydoo's sent a letter to the editor of the Bancroft Times last week suggesting that a Tim Hortons go on the property that they own next to the lodge property. What we won't do for some cheesy free publicity.

The black flies aren't gone but they sure aren't too bad. We have been lucky this year. As a test I sat out on the deck with a glass of wine last night after work to see how bad they were. I was pleasantly surprised. They let me finish my wine and start another. I know it is a tough way to have to judge them but I will continue with my experiment until they are gone. Only because I know you are all so interested in the results. If I am still running this test in November you must stop me.

I have had a few customers in that say this is the earliest that they have been in swimming because the water temp is so nice.

Not too much new other than all the new homes that are being built this year. There seems to be a lot of property for sale this year and it is moving quickly.

Not touching stories or whining this week. I'll be back next week maybe something exciting will happen this weekend. After Jim and Brian are up on a guys weekend. They are bound to get into trouble some where. Oh Connie, bless your strong heart. It must be tough always being the responsible adult.

Oops customers in, gotta go. Back soon.

Cheers
Nancy

Here it is the end of May already. Where do the days go?

The second season of the year is now upon us. That would be Yard Sale season. On my drive to Bancroft on the long weekend Saturday there must have been 15 yard sales just on the highway alone, never mind all the side roads. If you stopped at all of them you wouldn't get home until after dark.

The long weekend was great for the cottagers. We weren't too busy at the diner because the weather was so beautiful why would anyone want to go out to eat.

It is the first May long weekend that you could sit at a bonfire without a ski jacket!!!!

This past weekend was just as beautiful. But who ever says that a few days of good hot weather will kill off the black flies must have been smoking something and not sharing with the class. We have had really hot weather and the little buggers are still here. Not as bad as some years but here all the same. Even the deer flies are out.

I was able to sit out on my back deck on Sunday with the Star crossword for a long time and not be pestered by the flies. It was great. Then my daughter and son-in-law showed up with the granddogs and all hell broke loose. Running around in the long grass (that needs to be cut) stirring the little rascals up. Then after a trip to the pond for a swim they brought the deer flies home with them. There is nothing like a wet black dog to attract deer and horse flies. We weren't long heading inside then.

The Walmart coming soon sign on the Lodge property has created a lot of buzz. It's amazing how gullible some people are. It even caught the attention of the Bancroft Times last week. There was an article complete with a picture. It has been a lot of fun though. Kudos to Warren and Norm for the good idea and to Jeff for the sign.

Speaking of the lodge property, the logs arrived today for the new house being built on the property. It should look really good and be finished in no time.

Someone had the boat launch at Dog's Point on Lake St. Peter blocked off by the township with big boulders preventing access to the water. It only took one person to make the change with no consideration for others that do not have lake front property. You could still walk down but that was about all. It only took one day to have the situation reversed. Kudos to Ted for getting things rolling. He only had to get a memo with two signatures to have it reversed. In less than 48 hours he had at least 50 with more to follow. The little people still have a say. YEA!!!

Bark Lake still has not been filled up because of the low water levels. It is an amazing site. There are docks that are 50-100 feet away from the water. Some are 10 feet and more off the ground. It will be interesting to see if the level is ever up this year. I feel badly for the business that are on the river and are being held hostage by the weather.

Not much else to report. I'll do a black fly update later in the week or early next week.

Cheers
Nancy

It's a Feeding Frenzy

It is 28 degrees this morning as I am writing this. As far as I'm concerned it can stay like this until November. The week has been beautiful. However with the nice spring weather also come those little black buggers!!

I went out to change the letters on my sign at the Highway and WOW they were very hungry. I got quite a few bites just being out that short time.

So here begins my touching story. Last year an old guy was bitten all over his bald head when we were digging leeks. He was very itchy and he asked me to rub Whiskey all over his head. Now I thought that this was alcohol abuse buy none the less it was his rye not mine, he could do what ever he wanted with it. I poured a small bit in my hands and rubbed it all over his head and presto he wasn't itchy any more. So in my infinite wisdom I though I should try the same when I came in this morning. I got thinking that it wouldn't be a good idea to be serving customers smelling like the rye bottle so I tried a little Vodka behind my ears and on my arm. Go figure-it works!!! Again this may be alcohol abuse but it is better than being itchy when you have nothing else to fix the problem.

I wondered how a person would do in a breathalyzer if you did not drink the rye, just dabbed it on but stunk like a booze hound.

So my advice is everyone should come up north this weekend and help us feed the little critters. That sounds like a good plan. If this really hot weather keeps up hopefully they won't last too long. They were our really early this year because of the early spring.

We did our annual paddle down the Papineau Creek last weekend. A good time was had by all, drinks were served and not one canoe flipped (it's usually mine) this year for the first time in 5 years. We did have one spring a leak. God bless duct tape.

Sadly though I did not finish dry. I slipped into the creek getting out of the canoe while trying to visit mother nature. It goes without saying that after my dip in the creek there was no need to go into the bushes after all. Well what would a trip down the creek be without a few water fights and at least one dunk in the creek.

There is a new sign up at the Algonquin Lodge property advertising the new Wal Mart and Harvey's coming in 2012. It is causing a lot of buzz and has been very amusing for all the folks around the diner these last couple of weeks. I even had a nit wit from the Bancroft Times come in to ask about it. It must be a slow news week.

It's nice to see the cottagers back for another season but no ATVer's are around this year. Is it the gas thing or just too much on the go? Riders are really down this spring.

Well that's it for today. Back soon.

Cheers
Nancy

It rained on my parade-AGAIN!!!

After three months of no rain and dusty trails, when does it rain. Of course-on the day of my ATV run. I've been told that if it wasn't for bad luck I wouldn't have any luck at all.

The run went well even with a small turn out. Only about 55 entries. At least it didn't rain all day just for a short time in the afternoon.

Here's a shout out to Jim Hodder from Barrie. He won first prize in the run and donated all the money back to the ATV Club. What a nice thing to do. I wouldn't have thought of that. They were thrilled with the donation.

Another shout out goes to Norm Stringer who upon receiving is winnings for second place immediately bought the house a round of drinks. Yea Norm. I'll let him win cash more often.

Just a little bad news. The black flies are back. They are not too hungry yet just swarming and being annoying.

So far the fishing has been great for everyone that has been out, except for Norm S. He has been out a dozen times and comes home with nothing but a sore butt. Better days ahead Norm. I can say what I want about Norm, he doesn't have a computer so he will never know if I don't tell him.

Well I'm taking most of today off so I end now so that I can go and find something exciting to do.

Back soon
Cheers
Nancy

Who turned off the heat!!!!

It's been a while since I've updated and I am getting some flack. Granted I was away for a week but I have been back for quite some time now.

After a couple of weeks of really great weather the temp has dropped like a stone today. -5 this morning. Still sunny though so every one is cheerful.

DON'T FORGET OUR ATV MUD RUN ON SATURDAY, MAY 1. It should be a fun day. Good trails, good prizes, good food, good people.

It has been pretty quiet lately. There are not even ATVer's around. I wonder if it is still the gas thing or are they just not out yet? The trails are in good shape although a little dusty because of the lack of rain.

There has been a fire ban on for about 3 weeks now. No one remembers a ban starting this early. Maybe that means a hot summer. It also means those little black buggers will be around soon.

We have had a few wild turkeys in the neighbourhood this spring. They show up every couple of days cleaning up the deer feed and bird seed that was left from the winter. I'm sure my neighbour across the pond will have them all in his freezer soon. He'd shoot anything that walked near his property.

There was a real bad storm on Easter Weekend, high winds, rain etc. etc. It caused two house fires on the same day and both burned to the ground. Fortunately no one was hurt in either fire and both foundations were saved.

Our new addition for this spring is an ice cream freezer. We will be selling ice cream cones this year. I am looking forward to this because it means I'll be buying new clothes to fit me after sampling the goods trying to get things right.

There is another mud run the week after mine, May 6 in Maynooth. It is a fund raiser for the Maynooth Mud Dawgs. They are the group that put on the mud bog for trucks in September. So if you can't get up to the diner run, try for the next weekend. Better still come to both.

We are still doing the music on Saturday nights. I have some new bands booked so there will be new faces.

Well I'd better get back to work. Or at least make it look like I'm doing something.

Back when the nagging starts again.
Cheers
Nancy