August 24: Build me a castle

Over history, many a monument has been erected to love--Taj Mahal for one.  Lesser known is the White Otter Castle.  Unheard of by most, unless you know the song.

http://www.billhouston.ca/otter_lake.php

Legend is that Jimmy McQuat built a castle in the woods for his bride, an Englishwoman with whom he corresponded.  Sadly for him, the castle was not enticing enough for her to uproot and move to Canada. Instead, Jimmy lived alone in his three-storey home. 

The tale, I discover, may not be accurate.  The current theory is that the castle was built on a curse/off hand remark/dare.  Mr. McQuat overheard a comment that he would end up dying in a shack.  To ensure that this did not happen, he built himself no shack.

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NOTE:  To my faithful readers, I apologize for the long silence.  My computer had crashed in a spectacular fashion a couple months ago, taking several blog entries with it.  I and my computer are now back to functioning mode.  You will see new posts backdating to August in the next few weeks.

August 17: How do you get to Sesame Street?

I get to Sesame Street by way of Rochester's National Museum of Play.  Admittedly, I am a few decades older than most

visitors.  Yet, even so far from childhood, a lot of fun is to be had:  pinball machines, midway games, board game classics, Super Mario on arcade consoles, Big Bird, Dance Revolution.  All this is topped off with a frozen malted custard.  Yummy!

August 10: Along the Charles River

I am on a road trip with only one item on the agenda:  the wedding reception of my friends Craig and Carolyn in Boston.  The many bike paths crisscrossing the city beckon.  We ride along the Charles River, watching sailboats and Bostonians slowing down to enjoy a fine day. A stop at Frank Gehry’s Stata building:  showy and curvy helps this very large building blend into the streetscape.   

August 3: Frenemies

Theme of my summer seems to be large islands and canals. I visit St. Joseph’s Island, the 2^nd largest island in Lake Huron, the 3^rd largest in a body of fresh water.

St Joseph’s Island, located in the westernmost part of Upper Canada, was pivotal in the war of 1812, when we were last at war (officially) with our southern neighbours.  Fort St. Joseph was the site of one of the first battles.  All that remain are small stone piles, as they were left after the fort was torched and abandoned.

My first work stint in Thessalon coincides with Community days.  What a brilliant idea.  For one weekend each year, families and former residents are encouraged to return home for a friendly/moderately competitive baseball tournament, fireworks, and a “Christmas in August” parade. 

I visit Patricia.  She welcomes me as she has to many a traveler.  I detect a kindred spirit in her.  She is a dancer whose steps led her to Little Rapids.