
Kincardine Harbour Boats, ONT, CA - May 28.11
The weather for the final weekend of May 2011 in southeastern Ontario is starting off wet–but will it stay that way?:

Weekend Weather Haliburton Highlands 5.28 - 5.29
Judging from the photos it itsrainy in many area of southern Ontario Saturday, early afternoon. By Saturday evening however it should become mainly cloudy. There is expected to be 0.1 inch of rain from Saturday afternoon to Sunday afternoon. The high temperature Saturday will be 64°F and the overnight low, 55°F.

Haliburton Highlands Long Term Weather
Sunday, look for a cloudy day with showers. The high temperature is expected to be 66°F and the overnight low 55°F. There may be up to 0.1 inch of rain accumulation.
Monday, expect variable clouds, a pleasant high of 75°F and a repeat of Monday’s overnight low of 55°F. Again, there may be up to 0.1 inch of rain accumulation.
Tuesday, there’ll be a chance of thundershowers with the high temperature soaring to 81°F, though it should feel like 95°F(!) The overnight low will be 63°F and there is again a chance of up to 0.1 inch of rain accumulation.
Wednesday will be sunny. The high will be a comfortable 73°F and the low overnight, 57°F. There is no rain in the forecast.
Thursday, June 2, expect variable cloudiness and a high of 63°F. The overnight low will drop to 50°F. There is no precipitation in the forecast.
Friday will be a sunny day with a mild temperature of 64°F. The low overnight will be a chilly 48°F and there is no rain in the forecast.
Have a great week!
My parents at Maple Lake in 1957 in front of the third cottage, photo probably taken by my grandmother, Alice:

Mom and Dad - Maple Lake 1957
(Notice that my mother has a camera in her hand?)
Remember when I said I’d be using this for a personal blog for a while? And I hadn’t, yet, really?
That time is now.
My mom died on January 12 of this year. We will celebrate Margaret Victoria Adeline Dereham — ‘Peggy’ McCrackan at Maple Lake on Sunday, August 28, 2011. It is the weekend before, not of Labour Day (9.5) so hopefully, it will be sort of quiet on the Lake. The more recent times that I’ve been up that week it is usually quiet–then all hell breaks loose on the official ‘last day of summer.’ It like the U.S. in miniature at that time of the year. Consequently, most Labour Days of the future I plan to be on the U.S. side of the border at home. Who needs the traffic on an ‘iffy’ weather weekend, anyway?*
*Good Lake weather for me is determined by one question: ‘Is it nice enough to swim in the Lake?’
This event should be quite simple and quite lovely. I know there were a ton of people who loved my Mom however when you live to age 83, sadly, the still-living ones constitute a considerably smaller number. Those folks will most likely hear from my Dad however, if you wish to find out more about August 28 at the McCrackan place on Maple Lake please feel free to email me maplelakeontario@gmail.com. If it involves attending, I’ll check with my Dad and get back to you.
My mother, Margaret Victoria Adeline Dereham was quite close to her maternal aunt, Sara Stinson, a Canadian chiropractor–along with my grandmother, Inez Dereham (both neé Sheardown) who was also a chiro, both educated in Michigan–graduating in the same class. Isn’t that neat?
Here they are with my mom, who is age 11 in this photo.

(l to r) Inez Dereham, Mom, Sara Stinson
Mom was just 12 years-old when her mother died. Eight year’s previous her father died, too
Her beloved Aunt Sara only lived until ‘Peggy’ was 14–then my Mom was on her own, though for a time she stayed with her best friend, also name Peggy (Many years later, she became my godmother).
Finally, I have no idea how a typical Ontarian family functions nor do I know how a typical American family does. However, since age six I’ve been a resident alien here in the U.S. consequently it’s been impossible for American culture to not rub off on me despite been raised by a couple of Canucks. Long story short, even without the American upbringing I’m probably a little different than from some folks might expect or wish and I’m afraid at this point it is too late to apologize for that–even if I were so inclined.
If I offend anyone it is almost never on purpose, however somehow I’ve managed to do so with I don’t know how many of my relatives. But this event is not about me or them. It is about my mother and it is for those who cared for her–that simple.
Cheers,
Cyn
(Cynthia McCrackan)

Limerick Lake, Gilmour, ONT, CA May 20, 2011
Welcome to the May 24 weekend, the first EDIT/statutory Canadian ‘summer’ holiday except in the eastern maritime provinces of Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island or in Newfoundland & Labrador.
Hopefully, if you are headed to cottage country in southeastern Ontario, you left early on Friday (missed all the bad traffic) and are now there anticipating a lovely Saturday.
The weekend weather looks like this:

Haliburton Highlands Weekend Weather May 21-22
Look for some isolated showers Friday evening with cloudy periods overnight Friday. The low temperature will be a pleasant 54°F.
Saturday morning looks great with the forecast calling for ‘sunny’ weather and 57°F to begin the day. By Saturday afternoon “variable cloudiness” becomes part of the picture with Saturday evening becoming cloudy with sunny breaks. The high temperature for Saturday will reach 75°F and the overnight low, 54°F. There is forecast 0.1 inches of rain in this 24-hour period.

Haliburton Highlands Long Term Weather May 21 -through May 27
Sunday, May 22, calls for showers and the accompanying clouds. The high should be a comfortable 68°F, the low overnight also a comfortable 55°F; expect 0.1 inches of rain in this 24-hour period.
Monday the 23rd of May, formerly known as ‘Victoria Day,’ there will be a chance of thundershowers. The high will be 68°F and the overnight low 57°F with a chance of up to 0.7 inches of precipitation accumulation.
Tuesday, May 24 brings variable clouds, a high temperature of of 64°F and a low overnight of 52°F. There could be up to 0.3 inches of precipitation accumulation.
Wednesday, May 25 expect light rain, a high of 63°F and a low overnight of 48°F. Like the previous day, there could be up to 0.3 inches of precipitation accumulation.
Thursday May 26, scattered showers are predicted with the high reaching 61°F and an overnight low of 50°F. There may be 0.4 inches-plus of precipitation accumulation.
Have a great holiday weekend!

Bug reoprt May 2011

Found photo: Summer 1985 - "jimmy & his mom' Going through recently the thousands of photographs that my mom had amassed, I came across this one, taken by my mom.
Hm, I thought, I’d not ever laid eyes on it or any of it’s companions. Of course Mom took it back in the days of film development vs. downloading and she often wouldn’t get a full 36 photos taken and developed until (as in this case) after vacation, maybe months later.
I remember this day, though. After dinner, with the sun about to begin disappearing, it was time for the little guy to get cleaned up for bedtime. Back then we had no proper shower or tub, so one would take a bar of Ivory soap and scrub up in the Lake. (Now of course, that is an explicit no-no. Not a problem as we’ve long had a shower and pretty cushy sink and vanity, thanks to my Mom and Dad).
Anyway, in this situation, it was not warm out so I got the little guy cleaned up as quickly as I could. He was extremely good–never kicked up a fuss and as you can see, was glad when it was over. This little guy, who ultimately grew up with no Dad, was the perfect kid. Bar none. Ask anyone who knew him then. A perfect child because, I think, he felt he needed to be.
…at least until his step-dad and then, little brother came along..

Maple Lake -Summer '94(?) - Jim (11) and Chris (2) w/ Roger in distant background -'Brothers.' I don't think we ever thought of these guys as 'half' anything. Just brothers. 'This was about as good as it got. And this was pretty darn good. One more 'found shot'. I have a bunch from this set as I took them but they have not yet been scanned 'cept for this one..
One more Maple Lake photo from ’85:

A chillier point in being 2 y.o., getting washed up on a not-warm evening on Maple Lake, Ontario in 1985. ( I am so glad I did not yet have big hair!)
I was a 25 y.o divorced mom. ‘Jimmy’ was born in 1983 when I was 23. I think I was a pretty good mom (grown-up Jim has said so–without prodding or bribing!)–certainly right in there, sometimes overprotective, but that’s pretty typical with one’s 1st child, never mind one with a dad 100% out of the picture. Plus, I’m ‘ya know, fierce as a mom (and if need be, rarely, other times).

Indian River, Port Carling, ONT, CA - 5.13.11
If you are like many folks in Ontario who get away from home to cottage country on the weekends (and beyond), you may not be waiting for May 24 to begin hauling up your boats to the many lakes and rivers in southeastern Ontario.
The summer season in Ontario though quite beautiful (amazing, breathtaking–take your pick of adjectives) is also quite short. So then, water enthusiasts whether they use watercraft or partake in the myriad other ways of soaking up the ambiance of cottage country, are quite ready to make the short journey there even if the weekend forecast looks like this weekend’s:

Haliburton Highlands weekend weather May 13-14
Not that we should ‘expect’ balmy, rain-free days so early in the season but one can’t help but hope that at least one day of the weather shall be nice for recreational activities outdoors. Probably not happening this week as the rest of the week for the most part, is not looking super-duper, either.
I can see from the webcam shots that I just took that it is probably no exaggeration that in the next 24 hours you can expect upwards of an inch of rainfall. Fortunately, the temperature will remain mild overnight Friday at a low of 57°F.
You’ll wake up on Saturday to light rain with the temperature remaining steady at 57°F, before dropping to 54°F Saturday evening with more light rain and a low of 50°F.

Haliburton Highlands Long Term Weather 5.14-5.19
Sunday, as promised, will be cloudy with showers and a high of just 54°F. The low overnight will be 43°F and the rain accumulation will be 0.1 inch.
Monday, expect light rain and a chilly high of 48°F. The nighttime low will be 39° and the rain accumulation will again be 0.1 inch.
Tuesday, expect isolated showers, a high of 57 °F and an overnight low–again– of 39°. The rain accumulation will again be 0.1 inch.
Wednesday expect (what else?) light rain with high temperatures reaching 61° and overnight lows about 45°F. There may be a half-inch or more rain accumulation.
Thursday, May 19, brings more scattered showers, a high of 61°F and an overnight low of 46°F. The rain accumulation will again be 0.1 inch.
EDIT/ Also, there are the bugs:

Bug report
Have a week full of happy trails!

The Art Hive - 10239 Hwy. 118, ONT, CA K0M1S0

Watermark
In my continuing showcase of fun local events that peak my interest—and hopefully yours too, presenting:
Watermark …
is a community fund-raising art exhibit between The Art Hive and Haliburton Muskoka Children’s Water Festival. Watermark show will take place May 14-June 4 at The Art Hive.
For more information call The Art Hive at (705) 754-0021 or email thearthive@live.ca.
The Art Hive’s building is rich with memories having been a 5 and dime store (or more correctly, a candy store to us kids) in my recollection and grocery market in my Dad’s day. I think it sat pretty empty when my kids were younger.
There are some folks people there now–artists and artisans, with such a wealth of talent and community involvement.
I’m really glad the place has such an awesome tenant, though I sort of miss the candy.
Source: Thanks to County of Haliburton | 12340 Hwy 35 | PO Box 959 | Minden | ON | K0M 2K0 | Canada

Summer of 1985

Jimbo and Peggy at Maple Lake - Summer of 1955
I’ve been sorting through more family photos, quite a number from Maple Lake. This poring over images from days gone by can be both a rewarding and disheartening process. Some of the people in them are now dead, people I knew and loved. Some of the bonds once strong, have weakened or broken entirely. Death and decrepitude. That is the disheartening part.
The rewarding part is when a photograph evokes what was a lost memory– or simply a feeling or a remembrance of, as they say, ‘the good times.’
Here we have my parents early in their dating times which segued to a 55-year marriage ending only when my Mom passed in January of this year.
At top we have my son and my Dad enjoying what I enjoyed as a child–jumping off the boat dock.

I’m starting a semi-regular feature about what I would do for recreation, meals, and entertainment if I were in the Haliburton Highlands at any given time. When we are at our cottage on Maple Lake I will actually be doing some of the myriad activities that are going on year-round in the Haliburton Highlands. Right now, I can only dream <sigh>.
If I were in the Haliburton Highlands on Mother’s Day, the Pinestone Resort for brunch* is where I’d love to be. Just read the menu or have a look at the website for more photographs of why the Pinestone Resort is a superb choice for fine dining & accommodations.
My mom passed away earlier this year and I dearly wish I’d had another chance to have a lovely meal out with her. Don’t put off such a perfect opportunity to show your Mom how much she means to you.

This is a non-paid post in support of the province of Ontario, Haliburton Highlands tourism.
Want to know where heaven on earth is? It’s right here in the Haliburton Highlands!
*P.S. This is an insanely good value, too!
This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of FRESCHETTA® for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.
Hey Everyone!
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-Cyn
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Do You Like Giveaways?:
Would you like a free FRESCHETTA® Simply Inspired pizza (coupon for 1 free FRESCHETTA® pizza) plus an awesome bamboo cutting board with three nifty utensils?
Starting right now and ending May 31 at 12 midnight Central Standard time, I’m running a Giveaway which I invite you to enter by leaving me a comment saying that you would like to be part of the Giveaway. Remember, I need a way to let you know if you’ve won so an email address (which I’ll keep private) would be super appreciated!
On June 1, 2011, I will announce on this blog who has won the Giveaway and you’ll have seven (7) days to respond. Otherwise, I’ll have to chose another person who entered the Giveaway.
Please enter only one time and please see my “Giveaway” link in my sidebar for more details. Good Luck, everybody!


Sand Point Lake, ONT, CA
Hello All!
First off, apologies for largely being absent from the web this week. I was helping out with my mother’s estate in a country place with no high-speed Internet. (She passed on January 12–we needed to hold off until all could coordinate schedules). I am back and I’m excited by the continued warm-up in southern Ontario. Getting the itch to go to Maple Lake soon!

Haliburton Highlands Short Term Weather May 2 -3
Tonight in the Maple Lake area of the Haliburton Highlands look for variable cloudiness and a temperature of 43°F.
Overnight on Monday it will be mainly cloudy and 37°F. In the 24-hour period between Monday and Tuesday night you should expect .25 inches of rain.
Tuesday morning looks to be cloudy with a temperature of 39°F. By Tuesday afternoon, light rain moves in as the temperature climbs to 50°F.
Light rain continues into Tuesday evening with a temperature of 45°F.
Haliburton Highlands – Ontario Canada Long Term Weather:

Haliburton Highlands Long Term Weather May 3 - May 8
Tuesday will be cloudy with showers, a high of 50°F and an overnight low of 37°F. There will be .25 inches of precipitation accumulation.
Wednesday, expect isolated showers, a daytime high of 55°F and an overnight low of 41°F. Expect a trace amount of rain.
Thursday will be a sunny day with a very nice high temp of 57°F. There is no rain in the forecast and the low temp overnight will be 36°F.
On Friday, May 6, look for variable cloudiness, a high of 50°F and a low overnight of 39°F. Expect 0.1 inches of rain to accumulate.
Saturday May 7, expect isolated showers, a daytime high of 54°F and an overnight low of 39°F. Look for a trace of rain to accumulate.
Sunday, May 8 brings a cloudy day with sunny breaks, a high temp of 57°F and an overnight low of 43°F. There is no rain in the forecast.
Have a great week!