Real Talk!

I'm posting this map, it used to appear on a site for FUME (Fight Uranium Mining) ... but I noticed that their site is currently defunct and their domain www.fighturanium.com is for sale.

A reader emailed me asking about a certain area being HOT. & while I am no expert- I do know that there were Uranium mines throughout the region. & I have spoken to people who sit on both sides of the fence on this one...

I have decided that it is something that one must decide upon for themselves.

Holy smoke! August 2nd to 5th, 2012 marks the 49th annual Rockhound Gemboree, in Bancroft. What's that, you ask? & I wouldn't be surprised if you did ask!

It's a celebration, really. It's Canada's Largest Gem & Mineral Show... true... but what's that? Well, it's a gathering of enthusiastic collectors of gems & minerals who show/sell/display/teach share/demonstrate all things to do with the earth, our geology, geography...

AND you can go on a mineral collecting field trip, guided by a geologist... try your hand at gold panning, try climbing a rock wall... lots of fun activities... AND SHOP... there's lots of one-of-a-kind jewellery pieces, art, sculpture and more... AND

there's a great line up of speakers planned... people like Bob O'Donnell the Fossil Guy... serious practioners of healing with gems... gemmologists talking about what to do with reclaimed jewellery... prospectors and loads of other stuff that will be announced...

Door prizes, awesome food, music and generally a real good time for people of all ages!

Check out all the details at www.bancroftdistrict.com

Take a look at the "events calendar"... there's always something fun happening in the area!

P.S. We got snow today... and the weatherman says we're going to have good snow this year... Madawaska Mountain is almost ready... check www.madawaskamountain.com for info!

Monday, I finished the touches on my FEO (Festivals and Events Ontario) submission...

Yesterday I was interviewed by a college student who is excited about becoming an event planner, then, out in my safety boots and hard hat to visit Bear Lake Diggings, near Gooderham. We have a geologist and excavator out there, doing some trenching for next spring's collecting field trips. It was spectacular! Lots of great stuff being unearthed... and

this, this morning I am off to the annual general meeting of the OHTO (Ontario's Highlands Tourism Organization). It's the regional tourism group that promotes travel and tourism to this area. Then, tomorrow, I am meeting with electricians, then, I have a board meeting with the OHTO...

Friday, I am meeting with a local representative of the Southern Ontario Prospector's Association...
and a metaphysical practitioner who works with gems and healing...

and there's always ski hill stuff...and real estate...

my daughter might be coming home for the weekend from Queen's...

& I hope the weather stays nice enough for a good long walk with my Piper-pup.

*smiles*

all is good

I've been researching my family tree for about 15 years. So far, I have 17114 people. 2918 photos. 1247 stories. 12958 records.

There are some people who think that I'm going to prove that we are all related... and sometimes, I think so, too.

I thought it would be interesting to compose a list of all the surnames that I've got in my tree. It took me a while, but here is the list ( about 3500 names) :

A
Abdee
Abel
Abell
Abigail
Abelson
Achin
Acker
Ackerman
Adams
Adriaensen
Aitken
Alain
Albereye
Alberts
Alcock
Aldrich
Alexander
Alford
Alger
Alice
Aliomet
Allaire
Allen
Allison
Allston
Allyn
Althouse
Altman
Alve
Amelech
Amy
Anderson
Andre
Andrew
Andrews
Andriese
Androgeus
Angell
Anglure
Ann
Annable
Antrobus
Ap Beli
Ap Bleddynn
Ap Cynfyn
Ap Einion Efell
Ap Evan Vaughan ap Enion
Ap Gethin
Ap Gruffydd
Ap Gwaithfoed
Ap Gwerystan (King of Cynfyn, Prince of Powys)
Ap Gwynnan
Ap Ieuan
Ap Iova
Ap Khyelin
Ap Lewis
Ap Llud
Ap Llewellyn
Ap Madoc
Ap Madog
Ap Maredudd (Prince of Powys)
Ap Meredydd
Ap Morris
Ap Rhys
Ap Teon
Apple
Appleton
Apps
Arcand
Archanges dit Tardif
Armange
Armstrong
Arnaucet
Arnel
Arnold
Aron
Ash
Ashcroft
Ashton
Askew
Asselin
Aston
Atcheson
Atchison
Atherton
Atkins
Atton
Atwater
Aubigny
Aubin
Aubron
Aubuchon
Aulph
Aultie
Aumais
Aumay
Auricosta
Austin
Auzon
Auzou
Avallach
Avard
Ayerst
Aymard
Ayotte
Ayre
Ayres

B
Babbit
Babcock
Babin
Bacal
Bacon
Badgley
Bagwell
Bahen
Baigent
Bailey
Bailie
Bailies
Baines
Baird
Baker
Baldwin
Ball
Banker
Banks
Banta
Barbant
Barbari
Barbary
Barbe
Barbeau
Barber
Barbier
Barbot
Barboteau
Bardolf
Barents
Barette
Barham
Barillay
Barker
Barlow
Barnard
Barnes
Baron Sloet van Toutenberg
Baron Van Beekman Van Kell
Barones Van Heeckeren
Barones Van Heeckeren Van Kell
Barr
Barrett
Barrow
Barstow
Bartholomew
Bartlett
Barton
Bascom
Baskey
Bass
Bassett
Bastianese
Bastien
Bates
Bauch
Baudoin
Baughm
Baugis
Baulallouette
Baune
Baugis
Baulallouette
Baune
Baune Lafranchise
Bawden
Bayles
Beadle
Bear
Beattie
Beatty
Beauchamp
Beaumont
Beausoleil
Beauvais
Beckwith
Becus
Bedard
Bedell
Beekman
Begin
Beland
Belanger
Beli
Belisle
Bell
Bellac
Bellamaniere
Bellows
Belyea
Ben Arphaxad
Ben Judah
Benbow
Benedict
Beneston
Benham
Benn
Bennett
Benson
Bent
Bentinck
Bentley
Berd
Bergen
Berkeley
Berleman
Berlemann
Bernard
Berry
Berthiaume
Bertholf
Bertrand
Besling
Bessaires
Betsky
Betteshorne
Beurer
Bibby
Bickford
Bickley
Bidum
Bierce
Bigler
Biliana
Billeau
Billings
Billington
Bilodeau
Binder
Bineau
Bingham
Binney
Birchand
Bird
Birtles
Bishop
Bisson
Bissonnet
Bissonnette
Bissonnette dit Lafaverie
Bisworth
Bitouset
Bixbee
Black
Blais
Blake
Blanchard
Blank
Blauw
Blayonne
Bleau dit Rosignal
Bleddyn
Bleeker
Bleiddud of Cambria and Cornwaall
Blew
Bliss
Blom
Bloomer
Blount
Blundell
Blythe
Board
Boardman
Bodily
Boehme
Bogaert
Bogart (yes, Humphrey is my 6th cousin 5x removed)
Bogert
Boggs
Boilard
Boire
Boivin
Bokenham
Bolper
Boltwood
Bon
Bond
Bonin
Bonisteel
Bonnin
Boomer
Boone
Borden
Bordowitz
Borrowman
Bosworth
Boteler
Bothwick
Botterbusch
Bottineau
Bouchard
Bouchard dit Lavalle
Boucher
Boucher Deroches
Bouet
Bougrat de Moulins
Bouin
Boulanger
Boulard
Boulet
Boullard
Bourbonnais
Bourdon
Bourgeois
Bourgery
Bourner
Bourque
Boutet
Boutinne
Boverat
Bouvier
Bowditch
Bowerman
Bowes
Bowman
Bowne
Boxall
Boyce
Boyd
Boyer
Boynton
Brabant
Brabant dit Lamothe
Brader
Bradfield
Bradish
Bradley
Bradshwaw
Brady
Bragee
Brandon
Brandt
Brasseur
Brasseur-Duhamel
Brassey
Brault
Braun
Brazeau
Brearly
Breban
Brebant
Breestede
Brenicombe
Brennan
Brereton
Bresteede
Bretargh
Brett
Brewer
Brewster
Brickman
Briggs
Brigham
Brill
Brimball
Brimble
Brisard
Brisco
Brisebois
Brisson
Briten
Briwere
Brocklebank
Brockway
Brooks
Brough
Brouillet
Broust
Brouwer
Brower
Brown
Browne
Brownell
Browse
Brule
Bruley
Brumfield
Brun di Lavet
Brunet
Brunt
Bruyn
Bryan
Bryning
Bryson
Buchanan
Buckley
Beull
Buford
Bulstrode
Burns
Burden
Burdick
Burge
Burger
Burgess
Burkholder
Burlingham
Burnham
Burns
Burnside
Burr
Burrows
Burs
Burt
Burton
Busalacchi
Busby
Buss
Bussing
Bustin
Butler
Buttolph
Byington
Byrne
C
Cadieux
Cadman
Cadu
Caisneto
Caldwell
Calkin
Calkins
Calverly
Calvert
Calvin
Cameron
Cammack
Campau
Campbell
Campeau
Candon
Candy
Canney
Canteau
Card
Cardinet dit Chevalier
Carel
Carel van Heeckeren van Kell
Carelsen Van Syssen
Carfrae
Careleton
Carlyle (yes, Thomas Carlyle was my 3rd great grand uncle)
Carman
Carmona
Carpenter
Carr
Carroll
Carscallen
Carson
Carter
Cartier
Casabulskie
Casavant
Case
Casner
Cassidy
Castell Rudenhausen
Castinghurst
Castonquay
Cathcart
Cauchon
Caulkins
Cavanaugh
Cavey
Cawper
Celtic
Cewill/Cravill
Chadwick
Chaliff
Chalifour
Cahline
Chamber
Chamberland
Champagne
Chandler
Chapeski
Chapin
Chappell
Charbonneau
Charboune
Charette
Charland
Charlant Francoeur
Charlebois
Charlton
Charon Dit Ducharme
Charron
Charron Caron dit Ducharme

Chartier
Chase
Chausse
Chausset
Chauvin
Chauvin dit La Fortune
Chealtey
Cheatley
Chefvoye
Chenaut
Cheney
Chenneth
Cherelton
Cherrier
Cherry
Chester
Chevalier
Chevreau
Chevrier
Chevrier-Lajeunesse
Chicot
Childs
Chilson
Chippior
Chisholm
Chitty
Choret
Choules
Chrissman
Christian
Chrusier
Chrysler
Church
Churchill
Cicot/Chiquot
Claesen
Claessen-Smit
Claghorn
Clapp
Clarely
Clark
Clarke
Clas
Classon
Clayp[oole
Cleary
Clefton
Clement
Clements
Cleveland (yes Grover was the 1st cousin 4x removed of wife of great grandfather of wife of 2nd great grand uncle)
Clifford
Clifton
Clingan
Clinton (includes: James delegate to convention that approved the U.S. Constitution- husband of 4th cousin 7X removed)
Clousher
Clouthier
Cloutier
Clow
Clump
Cluny Oswestry
Cochrane
Cockayne
Coe
Coggan
Coggeshall
Coggins
Cokayne
Coker
Cole
Coleman
Coley
Coligny
Collar
Collier
Collineau DeMontaguerre
Collins
Collister
Colson
Comfort
Compton
Conant
Conger
Coningh
Conklin
Conn
Connan
Connery
Connil
Conroy
Considine
Constacineau
Cook
Cooke
Cooley
Coolidge
Cooper (ya, Anderson Cooper: 2nd cousin 5X removed of husband of 1st cousin 6X removed)
Copeland
Copenhaver
Corbet
Corcoran
Corlies
Corneau
Cornelis
Cornell
Cornwall
Corr
Corriveau
Crosby
Cosigny
Cote
Cotter
Cotton
Cottrell
Couc
Couc dit la Fleur
Counsel
Courraud-Lacoste
Courten
Courtenay
Cousin
Couton
Coutu
Covert
Cowan
Cowper
Cox
Coxe
Coyle
Coyne
Crabbe
Craig
Crampton
Cranch
Cranniwell
Craun
Crawford
Creighton
Cressard
Creste
Crestwick
Crevier
Crew
Crichton
Criswick
Critchley
Cromwell
Croniere (Crosnier)
Cronk
Cronkhite
Cronshaw
Croy
Crusher
Crutchfield
Crysler
Cuillerier
Culhane
Culp
Culver
Cummingford
Cummings
Cunean
Cunion
Cunningham
Cure
Curry
Curtis
Cushing
Cusson
Cutler
Cutter
Cutting
Cuvellier
Cybuslki

D

D’Alveston
D’Anglure
D’Aoust
D’Arques
Dabernon
Dabny
Dacre
Dafoe
Daigneau
Dakin
Dale
D’Allon
Dallyu
Dalone
Dalone d’Aulonne
Daly
Dalzell
Damesin
Damon
Dand
Dandase
Danet
Daniel
Daoust
Darroch
Daugherty
Dauth
Davenport
David
Davidse
Davies
Davis
Daw
Dawson
Day
Daybell
De Acton
De Aderne
De Adrerne
De Alselyn
De Avenel
De Baloil
De Beaumont
De Berkeley
De Besford
De Birtles
De Blancminster
De Britain
De Briwere
De Bruley
De Camville
Ce Chesney
De Coton
De Cotton
De Courtenay
De Debize
De Goldington
De Gray
De Handsacre
De Hatton
De Herthill
De Herville
De Heyton
De Ivree
De Kingwarton
De Kniveton
De la Fontaine
De la Fontaine dit Wicard
De La Haye
De La Mater
De La Pomeray
De la Paparlier
De La Vigne
De LaLonde
De Lamater
De Lindsay
De Mainwaring
De Malbank
De Malesours
De Mandeville
De Meschines
De Mil
De Mill
De Mille (yes Cecil B- 4th cousin 3X removed of 1st cousin 5X removed)
De Milt
De Mobberly
De Montfort
De Mouson
De Noyon
De Pumbrugge
De Rapalie
De Rapalje
De Renel
De Reviers
De Ruine
De Stockport
De Stourton
De Sutton
De Tancarville
De Tankerville
De Thoornden
De Tittenlegh
De Torbok
De Verdun
De Vernon
De Vesy
De Vipont
De Watville
De Weston
De Witt
De Wynnington
Deabil
Deabill
Deacon
Deadman
Deal
DeAlselyn
Dean
De Arundel
De Beauchamp
Despenser
De Besford
De Bidum
Debien
De Blancminster
Deblois
De Booley
De Boteler
De Brie
De Bruley
De Cew
De Chesney
De Cicco
De Clinton
De Cocton
Dee
Deegan
De Ferreiers
Degroff
De Guillon
De Harley
De Helsby
De La Faie
De Lafaye
De La Fosse
Delamater
Delancey
Delaney
De Langetot
De Lannoy

De la Plaine
De La Spine
De la Vau
Delavaux
Delefosse
Deliercourt
De Ligneville
Deloire
Delong
Delor
Delves
Demaison
Demarest
Demeslier
Demeter
Demil
De Mill
Demille

DeMilt
De Montagquerre
DeMott
Deniger
Denis
Denkersen
Dennison
Denote
Denoyon
Denyse
Deparois
DeRainville
DeRenel
Deruine
Dervie
Dery
Des Marets
Se Saint Lingier
Desanges
Desbordes
Desborough
Descardonets
Descardonnets
Descary
Deschardonets
Deshettres
Desjarlais
Desnoyers
DeSpine
Desroches
Desrosier
DeStocton
DeThornton
Detlor
DeTregoz
Deufreuddwyd
DeVerdun
Devereux
Devine
Devoy
Dewall
DeWAterville
Dewey
DeWitt
Dewitt
DeWolf
Dey
Diamond
Dickens
Dickerson
Didier
Didier dit Curtin
Dillon
Dircks
Dircksen
Dissault
Dit Brabant
Dit Maconce
Dixon
Dixwell
Dodd
Dodson
Dogle
Doerty
Doig
Doigt
Dollen
Dombroski
Donaghue
Donahoe
Donahue
Donken
Donkin
Donnelly
Donoghue
Donovan
Doolittle
Doran
Doray
Dorez
Dorland
Dorsen
Doublet
Doucinet
Douglas
Douglass
Dounton
Dow
Downes
Dowse
Dowsett
Doyle
Dracup
Drake
Dresser
Driscoll
DuBois
Du Pre
Dubois
DuBois
Dubois dit Brisebois
Ducharme
Dulmage
Dumesnil
Dummer
Dumole
Dumont
Dumosle
Dunn
Dunseith
Dunton
Duperet
Durand
Duret
Durfee
Durham
Durvassal
Dutch
Dutton
Duval
Dwelly
Dwerryhouse
Dyer
Dykmore
Dzuinikowski

E

Eacker
Eagles
Eagleson
Earhart (yes Amelia)
Aston
Eaton (yes Timothy father-in-law of sister-in-law of 3rd cousin 3X removed)
Eckhardt
Edgerton
Edloe
Edmands
Edwards
Egan
Egberton
Eggett
Elder
Eliot
Elizabeth
Ellims
Ellis
Eloy
Emans
Embury
Emery
Emigh
Emmens
Emond
Emory
Empey
Endicott
English
Erdei
Eron
Errol
Esmond
Espe
Ethier
Etienne
Etmanski
Eu
Evans
Evarts
Everett
Everson
Exhurst
Exton

F

Fabian
Fafard
Fafard Magonce
Faifeu
Fairchild
Fairman
Falley
Farfysch
Farley
Farragher
Farrell
Farris
Faulner
Fauteux-Schenail
Fauvel
Favreau
Fay
Faynde
Fee
Fellowes
Fellows
Fennel
Fenner
Ferch Llyr
Ferch Maredudd
Ferch Mathonwy
Ferguson
Ferrers
Fessenden
Feuillon
Feuker
Ffreuddwyd
Fiddament
Fiddannent
Fiddiment
Field
Fields
Filion
Finch
Finn
Finnsdottir
Fisher
Fisk
Fiske
Fiss
Fitz Alanth Earl Arundel
Fitz Herbert
Fitz Roy
Fitzalured
Fitzbardolf
Fitzgerald
Fitzherbert
Fitzjohn
Fitzosbern
FitzPiers
Fitzroger
Fitzthorfin
FitzWalter
Flagg
Flagler
Flamen Flanagan
Flannery
Fleece
Fletcher
Flickinger
Flint
Flowers
Ffloyd
Flynn
Foliot
Foljambe
Follibois
Folliebois dit Doutaz
Folsom
Fontanie
Forbes
Foreman
Forest
Forestier
Forget
Fortin
Fosdick
Foster
Foubert
Fouillon
Fournaise
Fournaise dit Laboucane
Fournier
Fourre
Fowler
Fox
Fradenberg
Fralick
France
Franchart
Franklin (yes, Sir John & Ben)
Franklyn
Frans
Franz
Franzke
Fraunceys
Frawley
Frederick
Freebody
Freeman
Freer
Freligh
French
Fries
Friess
Frizzell
Frost
Frothingham
Frye
Fulkerson
Fuller
Fulton

G

Gadois
Gadoua
Gaffney
Gagne
Ganier
Gagnon
Gaillard
Gair
Galarneau
Galion
Gallagher
Canion
Gransevoort
Gansevort
Ganson
Gardiner
Gardner
Garique
Garner
Garnier
Garret
Garton
Gascoigne
Gasnier
Gates
Gaudreau
Gaunt
Gauthier
Gauvreau
Gavey
Gavillon
Gavillon dit Lafeuillade
Gear
Gebhard
Geer
Geffray
Gendre
Gendron
Gendron di Lafontaine
Genet
George
Germain
Gerow
Gerrits
Gerritsen
Gervais
Gibbes
Gibbons
Gibson
Giffard
Gifford
Giguere
Gilbert
Giles
Gill
Gillespie
Gillett
Gilman
Ginkel
Girard
Girardin
Glanden
Gazier
Gleason
Glofcheskie
Glossop
Godsil
Golden
Golka
Goodson
Goodspeed
Goodwin
Gordon
Gore
Gorman
Gossage
Gosselin
Gott
Goudreau
Gould
Goulding
Goulet
Goupil
Gourd
Gourdon
Gourdon dit LaChasse
Goverts
Gowers
Grafton
Graham
Grand
Grandjehan
Grandmont
Granet
Grant
Gravel
Gravelle
Graves
Gray
Green
Greenaway
Greene
Greenoway
Greenway
Grey
Griffith
Griffiths
Grigsby
Grills
Gringas
Gritman Goetneau
Grobel
Groeninx van Zoelen
Groff
Grosvenor
Grover
Grymelond
Guess
Geuy
Geuillebau
Guillermin
Guillet
Guillois
Gjuise
Gurley
Gurnee
Gurney
Gustafson
Guy
Guyon
Gwineu
Gwynne
Gynn

H

Haas
Haase
Habig
Haddock
Hageman
Hagerman
Haggarty
Haggerty
Haight
Haines
Haining
Hair
Hale
Hall
Halstead
Halverson
Halvorson
Ham
Hamblen
Hamblin
Hames
Hamilton
Hamlin
Hammer
Hamspon
Hance
Hand
Handsacre
Hanks
Hanlon
Hanmer
Hanna
Hannah
Hanning
Hansdatter
Hanselyn
Hansenhart
Hanson
Hardman
Hardy
Haris
Harlan
Harley
Harmens
Harnes
Harper
Harriman
Harris
Harrison
Harry
Hart
Hartman
Harver
Hasse
Haseenberger
Hastings
Hathorn
Hathorne
Hatton
Havelock
Haven
Haviland
Hawk
Hawley
Haws
Hawthorne
Hayden
Hayes
Hazen
Heald
Healey
Heard
Heath
Heaton
Heep
Hegeman
Hellesby
Hemperly
Hen
Henault
Henderson
Hendricks
Hendrickse
Heneault
Henessey
Henissey
Hennessy
Henry
Herbert
Herbison
Herrick
Herries
Herring
Herrington
Hess
Hewitt
Heyden
Hickey
Hickok (yes, Wild Bill- 6th cousin of wife of 2nd great grand uncle)
Hickox
Hicks
Hickson
Hicock
Hieronymus
Higginson
Hill
Hills
Himmelright
Hinckley
Hinde
Hindes
Hinerman
Inerth
Hinsdale
Hipgrave
Hippisley
Hislop
Hissgrave
Hitchcock
Hobart
Hodgdon
Hogel
Hogenhout
Hogg
Hogle
Holbertson
Holden
Holland
Holman
Holt
Holyoke
Hondeard
Honford
Honywood
Hoogelandt
Hoogland
Hooper
Hoorde
Hop
Hopkins
Horde
Horne
Horning
Horsfall
Hott
Houde
Hough
Hourigan
How
Howard
Howe
Howell
Howes
Hoxsie
Hoyut
Hubbal
Hubbard
Hubble
Hubert
Hudson
Huet
Huff
Huffman
Hughes
Hull
Hulse
Humfreston
Humphrey
Hunt
Hunt aka Dixwell
Huntington
Huntley
Huntlieran
Huot
Hurault
Hurd
Hurst
Hurtibise
Huse
Hussey
Hutchinson
Hutton
Huxford
Huybert
Huyghens
Huysman
Hyde
Hyland
Hynes
Hypgrave
Hyslop
Hyuck

I

Ibn Abraham
Ibrook
Iizer
Ingalls
Ingersoll
Ingram
Innis
Ipgrave
Ireland
Irvine
Irving
Isham
Israelson
Ives

J

Jack
Jackson
Jacob
Jacobi
Jacobs
Jacques
Jacquet
Jacquillon
Jahan
Jakab
James
Janin
Jans
Jansdotter
Janse
Jansen
Janssen
Janszen
Jarry
Jarszkiewicz
Javillon
Javillon dit Lafeuillade
Jean
Jedrzejewska
Jeffers
Jeffery
Jenkins
Jenkinson
Jenks
Jennings
Jernonimus Trico
Jessie
Jinchereau
Joanna
Jobin
Johnson
Johnston
Joinaux
Jolivet
Joly
Joly dit Delbec
Jones
Jong
Joosten Van Syssen
Josephte
Jouerette
Journel
Jouy
Joy
Joyce
Jubiuville
Judah
Judd
Juillet
Junor

K

Karns
Kasaboshka
Kasaboski
Kay
Kebble
Keeler
Keenan
Keeping
Keever
Kehoe
Keighan
Keith
Keller
Kellog
Kelly
Kennedy
Kenny
Kenyon
Keogh
Ketchum
Keyser
Kibbe
Kibbey
Kibby
Kidd
Kilbourn
Kilmurry
Kilpatrick
Kimball
King
Kinge
Kingsley
Kingswood
Kinney
Kirk
Kirkpatrick
Kirkus
Kissane
Kitchel
Kitchen
Klintworth
Klock
Klok
Kluk
Kluke
Knapp
Kniffen
Knight
Knowles
Koch
Korten
Kosobuski
Kossubucki
Kosohuskie
Kreisler
Krezel
Kriner
Krutila
Kuiack
Kulas
Kungl
Kyle
Kynaston

L

La Folle
La Merche
Laban
Labbe
Laboucanne Fournesse dit Toulouse
Lackey
Lackey-Wong
Lacon
Lacroix
Lacy
Laderoute
Ladouceur
Ladroute
Lafaye
Lfeuillade
Lafleur
Lafond
Lafournaise
Laing
Lajeunesse
Lake
Lalande
Laliberte
Lalonde
Lalonde dit Lesperance
Lamadeleine
Lamb
Lambe
Lambert
Lamonday
Lamontaine
Lamoire
Lamoureux
Lancaster
Land
Lane
Langan
Langdon
Langer
Langlois
Langmaid
Lanthier
Lapierriere
Laplace
Laplante
Larch
LaRence
Larkin
Laroche
Larochelle
Larocquebrune
Larose
LaRose
Laroussiere
Larraway
Lashley
Lasley
Lassaline
Lassel
Lathrop
Latour
Latour dit Forget
Latulippe Queret
Laubertre
Launay
Laurens
Laurin
Lauritsen
Lauzon
LaVallee
Lavigne
Lavoine
Law
Lawes
Lawrence
Lawson
Lawtie
Lawyer
Lay
Lazenby
Lazier
Le Beau
Le Duc
Le Maitre
Le Mesnilwarin
Le Serrurier
Le Strange
Leach
Leake
Leavitt
Leaworthy
LeBeau
Lebel
LeBlanc
Le Bouef
Lebouef
Lebrun
Lechef
Lechilon
Leclerc
Leconte dit Villeneuve
Leddy
Leduc
Lee
Lefebvre
Lefrancois
Leger
Leger dit Parisien
Legh
Legrand
Lehanler
Lehoux
Leighton
Lelievre
LeMaistre
Lemaitre
Lemay
Lemee
Lemieux
Lemoisne
Lenihan
Lennox
LeNoble
Lent
Leonard
Lepack
Lepele
Leriche
Lesiege
Leslie
Lester De Mille
LeStrange
Leterrier
Leveille
Leveque
Lever
Leverdier
Leverett
Lewis
Leworthy
Leycester
Lieverse
Lincoln (yes Abraham)
Lindebergh (yes Charles 1st great grand nephew of husband of aunt of husband of sister-in-law of 1st cousin 6X removed)
Lindsay
Lines
Ling
Linn
Linton
Little
Livingston
Llawddeog
Llewlyn
Llyr
Lnu
Lockhart
Lockwood
Lodewyck
Lodenyck
Loftus
Loiseau
Loisel
Long
Longwell
Loomis
Loran
Lord
Lorimer
Loring
Lorran
Lortie Villeneuve
Losee
Louis
Love
Lovejoy
Low
Lowden
Loysel
Luard Lloyd-Jones
Lubberts
Lubertson
Luc
Lucas
Lucault
Luckasavitch
Luckovitch
Lucos
Lucovitch
Lud
Ludlow
Luquen
Lumet
Lumley
Luyster
Lydon
Lyford
Lyman
Lymburner
Lymchock
Lynch
Lynchoch
Lynchock
Lyons
Lythgo

M

Mabileau
Mabille
MacAlpine
MacDonald
Mace
Macgregor
Machequayaince Ahdik Dongab
Mackay
MacKenna
Maceky
MacKinnon
Maconce
Macouce
MacVicar
Madden
Maestre
Magnan
Magnier
Mahan
Maier
Maillet
Mainwaring
Major
Makin
Malbak
Mallory
Maderville
Maketelow
Mann
Manning
Mansfield
Mansley
Manwaring
Maranda
Marble
Marceau
Marcil
Marcotte
Marcoux
Marie
Marion
Markell
Marler
Marr
Marrett
Marsh
Marshall
Martha
Martin
Martindale
Martyn
Mary
Maskin
Mason
Masse
Massieu
Mast
Masta
Masten
Mastin
Mathews
Matinier
Matou
Mattoon
Muger
Maughan
Maul
Maupetit
Maverick
Mavile
Mawr
Maxwell
May
Maybee
Maybe
Maynard
Mayson
McAlpin
Mc Alpine
Mc Dermott
Mc Intier
Mc Alester
McAlpin
McAlpine
McAvoy
McBean
McCabe
McCafferty
McCallister
Mccalpin
McCann
McCarthy
McCaul
McComb
McConnell
McCormick
McCracken
McCrae
McCron
McCulloch
McCune
McDaid
McDermott
McDonald
McDonnell
McDowall
Mcentire
McEvoy
McFadden
McFaul
MFetrich
McGarvin
McGhee
McGillis
McGillis dit Giroux
McGinnis
McGrath
McGugin
McGuire
McInteer
McIntier
McKeigh
McKenna
McKenzie
McKeown
McLachlan
McLaughlin
McLean
McLelland
McLennan
McLennon
McLeod
McMahon
McMichael
McMuchen
McMullen
McNaught
McNeal
McNeely
McPherson
Mcrae
McTaggart
McWilliam
McWilliams
Mead
Meade
Meader
Means
Medding
Meek
Meekins
Meet
Meggs
Meier
Meilleur
Mellus
Menard
Menerey
Menken
Menzies
Mercer
Merckel
Merret
Merriam
Merrick
Merrill
Merriman
Merrin
Merritt
Mersman
Mersmann
Mesny
Mesopotamia
Metcalf
Methot
Neunier
Meyer
Meyers
Meyenderts
Michaud
Michel
Middleton
Midiantes
Miles
Miller
Mikllet
Millagan
Milligan
Milliken
Mills
Milne
Minaker
Miner
Minge
Mitchell
Mitchelson
Miteoamegoukque
Miteouamiquoukoue
Mix
Moberly
Monier
Molyneux
Moford
Monaghan
Monfort
Monhay
Monhe
Monpetit
Monroe
Montford
Montfort
Moore
Moorhead
Moran
Morden
More
Moreau
Morel
Morgan
Moriarty
Moricet
Morin
Morisset
Morrely
Morris
Morris ap Rhys
Morrison
Morrow
Morse
Mort
Morton
Moss
Mott
Moulin
Moulin dit Picotin
Moutier
Mudge
Mugan
Mules
Mulford
Mullen
Mulligan
Mullin
Mummert
Munden
Munn
Munro
Munroe
Murphy
Murray
Mylks
Mynders
Myderts

N

Nadeau
Nagel
Nahor
Nanseglos
Naudin
Navarre
N’Cyriqvr
Neal
Neale
Neat
Neate
Needham
Neilson
Nelle
Nelson
Neuman
Nevins
Newcombe
Newcomer
Nicalson
Nicholson
Nims
Nixon
Nobel
Noble
Nonsiglos
Norloch
Norlock
Norris
Norton
Nostrand
Nothstein
Nottingham
Noxon
Noyes
Nsson
Nyeulle

O

O’Brien
Ockerman
O Connor
Odell
Ogden
O Hagen
O Halloran
O Hearn
Ohlenvorst
Oldham
Olding
Olds
Olivier
O Loughlin
O Mailey
O Mailley
Onley
Oostrum
Oregan
O Rielly
Orkney
Orlikowski
Orn
Orr
Orth
Orwell
Osbern
Osborn
Ostrander
O Sullivan
Otis
Oudewater
Ouellet
Ouellette
Oukioutiabanoukoue
Ould
Outwater
Overfield
Overy
Owens
Oxinden

P
Pachirini
Pack
Packham
Page
Paige
Pake
Palgrave
Palmatier
Palmer
Pantulf
Pap
Paparel
Papin
Papin dit Descardonnets
Papp
Pare
Parent
Parenteau
Parisien
Park
Parke
Parlee
Parleman
Parliament
Parnell
Parrott
Parry
Partridge
Pass
Patenotre
Paterson McMillan
Patin
Patton
Paul
Paullison
Paulo
Payan
Payen
Peacock
Peairs
Peame
Pearce
Pears
Peck
Peckford
Peeck
Pegram
Pelletier
Pelletret
Peltier
Pember
Pepin
Pepin dit Descardonnets
Periard
Perier
Perkins
Perley
Perrell
Perrier
Perrin
Perrotin
Perry
Perske
Peters
Peterson
Petilloon
Petipas
Petit
Pettitt
Peverel
Pew
Phelps
Phennah
Philbrick
Philippe
Philippeau
Philips
Phillips
Phillipse
Phippen
Picard
Pickle
Picton
Piedgars
Pierce
Pierre
Pigeau
Pigot
Pigott
Pikney
Pilet
Pillet
Pilon
Pin
Pittman
Piua
Plantagenet
Plennah
Plews
Plover
Plovier
Plumb
Plummer
Poff
Poirier
Poisson
Poliquin
Pollard
Pons
Pooley
Poore
Pope
Porter
Post
Posthen
Potter
Potts
Poulard
Poulin
Pouliot
Poultios
Powell
Powers
Powys
Praat
Pratt
Presnail
Presnell
Presneil
Preston
Price
Prince
Pritchard
Proulx
Prout
Prudhomme
Prud’Homme
Ptolome
Puddy
Pugh
Plisfelt
Pumpa
Punderson
Putnam
Puttenham
Pye
Pynchon
Prymont

Q
Quackenbush
Quade
Qauakenbush
Quebec dit Montfort
Quennel
Quesnel
Quilnan
Quinn (yes Anthony, husband of 4th cousin 4X removed of wife of 1st cousin 5X removed)
Quint
Quirk

R
Racan dit Bastien
Racine
Racine dit Noyer
Radford
Rae
Raimon
Raizenne
Rand
Randall
Ranger
Ranken
Raonson
Rapalje
Repareilliet
Rapplely
Rappleye
Rappleyea
Raquelet
Rattan
Ratz
Rau
Raw
Ray
Raymond Toulouse
Rayphole
Read
Reade
Reamue
Reaume
Reaver
Recoski
Recoskie
Reddick
Reddict
Redner
Redvers
Reed
Reel
Reeve
Regnault
Regnier
Reichard
Reichardt
Reid
Reinholdt
Remching
Remon dit Toulouse
Remsen
Renaud
Renaut
Rende
Renville
Repinski
Reuter
Reveillaud
Reviers
Revse
Rew
Reyerszen
Reymon dit Gailard
Reynolds
Reyome
Rhudd Baldr
Rice
Richard
Richards
Richardson
Richer
Richmond
Ricker
Ridinger
Riley
Rimel
Ring
Ripley
Rising
Ritchards
Riton
Ritza
Robards
Roberge
Robers
Robert
Robertson
Robeson
Robideau
Robidoux
Robillard
Robin
Robinson
Robitaille
Roblin
Rocan Bastien
Rochier
Roddick
Roger
Rogers
Rogerson
Rolfe
Rolleston
Roma
Romrell
Rondeau
Rooney
Root
Roquebrune
Rose
Roska
Ross
Rostnik
Rothwell
Rouget
Rouleau
Rouse
Rousette
Roussel
Roussin
Routledge
Rowe
Rowlands
Roy
Roy dit Portelance
Royce
Royle
Rudling
Ruiter
Rull
Runyan
Runyon
Runyons
Rush
Russell
Rust
Rutan
Rutland
Rutse
Rutsen
Ruttan
Rutten
Ryder
Ryerse
Ryerson
Ryley

S

Sabourin
Saint Aubin
Salee
Salter
Samuel
Sanborn
Sandel
Sanderson
Sandilands
Sanford
Sara
Sargent
Sarrazin-Depelteau
Saunders
Sauvage
Savageau
Sauvagie
Sauve
Savage
Sawbridge
Swtell
Sawyer
Saxton
Sayles
Saylor
Sayre
Scate
Schallert
Schamp
Schaup
Schenck
Scherer
Schmalenberg
Schmidt
Schmidtke
Schouten
Schuyler
Schweig
Scollay
Scott

Seagar
Searle
Sedgwick
Sedilot
Sedore
Seeber
Seeley
Segar
Sequin
Seguin dit Laderoute
Selover
Sepham
Sere Cole
Sergant
Sergent
Serra
Serre
Serre St Jean
Sewall
Sexsmith
Shackleton
Shanan
Sharker
Sharma
Sharp
Sharpe
Shattuck
Shaw
Shea
Sheahan
Shean
Sheard
Shedd
Sheehan
Sheely
Sheets
Shehan
Sehll
Shemite
Shpard
Shepherd
Sheppard
Sheridan
Sherman
Shields
Shipley
Shirley
Shorey
Short
Shotwell
Sickles
Siddons
Sills
Simard
Simmons
Simms
Simpkins
Simpson

Sims
Sirois
Sisson
Skeath
Skellorn
Skillern
Slaeygel
Slater
Sleet
Sletson
Sloan
Sloet van Toutenburg
Sluman
Smaglinski
Smart
Smead
Smit
Smith
Smithers
Smithie
Smithies
Snelling
Snider/Snyder
Snook
Snow
Snyder
Sohier
Solde
Souchereau
Soucy
Souligny
Soulis
Southward
Southwick
Southwood
Spencer
Spicer
Spilling
Spragg
Sprague
Spratt
Sproule
Sprung
Squier
Squire
St Clair
St Clair-Hughes
St Clair-Rothwell
St Jean
St Louis
Ataats
Stackpole
Stafford
St Armand
Stander
Standhope
Standish
Stanhope
Stanley
Staples
Stapleton
Starks
Starr
Stauder
Stead
Stebbings
Stebbins
Steel
Steele
Steffansson
Steinkopf
Stephens
Stephenson
Stetson
Stevenson
Stewart
Stewertson
St Gemme Beauvais
Stickel
Stier
Stiles
Stillwell
Stinson
Stockport
Stoikos
Stokes
Stokowski
Stone
Stoneman
Stoppa
Storms
Stoughton
Stourton
Stover
Strachan
Strande
Strange
Strattan
Streeter
Striggles
Strong
Strongbow
Struggles
Stryker
Strzemia
STubbe
Stur
Sturgess
Sturgis
Sturley
Sturtson
Suiter
Sulpis
Sumner
Suquet
Sutherland
Sutliff
Sutphen
Sutton
Swift
Swinfen
Switzer
Sylvester
Symington
Symmonds
Symonds
Syre
Syria
T
Taubault
Tabeau
Taets van Amerongen
Taft
Talbot
Talcott
Tallebot
Tallmadge
Tallman
Tancarville
Tappen
Tapson
Tarbox
Tardiff
Tarrant
Tasciovanus ap Lludd
Tavernier
Taylor
Tergerdine
Telier
Templair
Ten Eyck
Tennant
Terrence
Terrien
Terrill
Terry
Tetaz dit Monthoux
Teucri
Texier
Thacker
Thatcher
Thayer
Thench
Therrien
Thibault
Thiebaud
Thistle
Thomas
Thomas-Hughes
Thomas-Tranchemontagne
Thompkins
Thompson
Thornden
Throckmorton
Tibbs
Tibou
Tice
Tichot
Tilley
Tillinghast
Tinlin
Titford
Titus
Tochon
Todd
Tomlin
Tompkins
Tomson
Toomey
Torrance
Torrens
Torrey
Tossell
Touchet
Toucheteau
Tougas
Toulouse
Touzell
Towbridge
Townley
Townsend
Tracey
Tracy
Traer
Tragner
Tranchemontagne
Trask
Trebinski
Tremblay
Trico
Tricot
Trillaud
Trimble
Tripp
Trolley
Trouin
Trowbridge
Troy
Trudeau
Trudel
Tridelle
Tubbs
Tuck
Tucker
Tudor
Tunison
Tunnisson
Tunny
Turbille
Turgeon
Turner
Turpin
Tursell
Tuttle
Tweed
Twombly
Tylden
Tyler

U

Upson
Urich
Utter

V

Vadon
Vailland
Valleau
Vallee
Vallieres
Vampage
Van Aken
Van Alsten
Van Bentinck
Van Cortlandt
Van Courlaer
Van Courtlandt
Van de Water
Van der Beek
Van der Bilt
Van Der Genst
Van der Heul
Van der Hoeven
Van der Hoff
Van der Liphorst
Van der Voort
Van der Straaten
Van Heeckeren
Van Heeckeren Van Kell
Van Heeckeren en Van Kell en Van Wassenaer
Van Horne
Van Keuren
Van Leeuwen
Van Lent
Van Leuven
Van Nellesteyn
Van Ness
Van Neste
Van Nostrand
Van Oudwater
Van Pabst tot Bingerden
Van Rousaloan
Van Rousselear
Van Schouw
Van Syssen
Van Voorheise
Van Voorhies
Van Winkle
Van der Liphorts
Van Aken
Van ARsdale
Vanbrugh
Vance
Vanderbilt (yes, Gloria- 2nd cousin 4X removed of husband of 1st cousin 6X removed)
Vandercook
Vanderford
Vanderhorst
Vanderliphorst
Vandersanden
Vanderstraaten
Vandervoort
Vandervort
Vanderwater
Vanderwoot
Vanderworth
VanDeVoort
Vandewater
Vanevery
Vankleeck
VanKleeck
VanLeuven
Vaness
VanNoorstrandt
VanNostrand
VanSicklen
VanSteenwyck
VanVechten
Vardy
Varick
Vas
Vaszicadu
Vaudry
Vaughn
Vaux
Vavasour
Vere
Veillon
Velie
Venables
Venet
Verch Beli
Verch Cadell
Verch Cyfnfyn
Verch Hugh
Verch Owen ap John
Verdun
Veren
Verin
Vernon
Vernon of Haddon
Vernon of Tong
Vernooy
Veronne
Verrier
Vicars
Viele
Vien
Viette
Villeneauve
Villeneuve
Villers dit St Louis
Vincent
Vinet
Vinet dit la Rente
Vizon
Volckersten
Voldock
Von Bradenburg
Voort
Voss
Vrooman
Vuillermet dit Davignon

W

Waddick
Waddington
Wadsworth
Wager
Waite
Walderne
Waldon
Waldron
Walker
Wallis
Walmsley
Walsh
Waltenbury
Walter
Wanamaker
Ward
Wardell
Wardewell
Wardrobe
Warner
Warnica
Warnock
Warren
Warrior
Wash
Washington
Watchorn
Waterman
Waters
Waterville
Watkins
Watkinson
Watson
Way
Weathers
Webb
Webber
Webster
Weden
Weeks
Weese
Wei
Weinstein
Weir
Weis
Welby
Welles
Wellington
Wells
Wellwood
Wels
Welsh
Welty
Wentworth
West
Westaway
Westbroeck
Westerhout
Westervelt
Westeway
Westfall
Westrow
Wetson
Whatley
Wheeler
Whichetton
Whipple
Whisker
Whitcomb
White
Whitechurch
Whitehead
Whitfield
Whiting
Whitman
Whitmore
Whitney
Wide
Wight
Wilde
Wiley
Wilkerson
Wilkin
Wilkins
Wilkinson
Will
Willekens
Willett
Willey
Willams
Williamson
Willingham
Willis
Williston
Willoughby
Wilson
Winch
Windsor
Wing
Wingfield
Winn
Winse
Winslow
Wise
Wisham
Witkowski
Witter
Wledig
Wolf
Wolff
Wong
Wood
Woodley
Woodman
Woodruff
Woods
Woodward
Wooley
Wooster
Wooten
Workman
World
Wright
Wuest
Wurm
Wyeth
Wyllys
Wynkoop
Wynne-Jones
Wynslowe

X

Xavier

Y

Yackabuski
Yager
Yandernall
Yanta
Yantha
Yarascavitch
Yarnall
Yates
Yeates
Yensen
Yenta
Yeomans
Yolkowski
Yonge
Younger
Youmans
Young

Z

Zalewski
Ziegler
Zilney
Zu Castell-Rudenhausen
Zu Solms-Laubach
Zwick
Zyx

The science of geology goes way beyond rocks and minerals. Geology is the study of planet Earth- it encompasses theories of the whole how/what/where/when of our planet was formed and continues to be shaped.

Scientists have identified three layers that comprise the planet Earth: the crust, the mantle and the core. The crust is a hard layer of rock that’s about 50 kms thick and includes the land masses that we live on, as well as the lining of the ocean floor. The Earth’s mantle is a semi-molten layer, about 3, 000 kms thick, and rich with the elements magnesium, silicon and iron. The core is believed to be hot, molten liquid nickel and iron.

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, some scientists believed that the continents were floating. Observing remarkable similarities in the shapes of coastlines, fossil discoveries and mountain ranges on opposite sides of the ocean, it was easy to image that the planet had once been one large mass that slowly broke apart. The emerging theory was known as continental drift.

In the 1940s, geologists realized that it wasn’t so much the continents as it was the Earth’s crust that was cracked into pieces that were floating on the mantle part of the earth. Ontario, a part of the crust, has been described as a “huge raft” of rock that floats on the surface of our planet. Geologists refer to this raft as a plate and have come to understand the changing crust through a theory known as plate tectonics.

It is believed that there about 10 major plates and numerous smaller plates that make up the Earth’s crust. Ontario sits in the center of the enormous North American plate.

Today, there’s a growing theory that the continents do collide and then drift apart over millions of years, in an ever-repeating pattern. Geologists have learned to read the history of a continent and can identify the very location of its most recent beginning- they call this the craton. Right now, the biggest craton in the world is the Canadian Shield.

Geologists have divided the Canadian Shield into seven geological areas that they call provinces: Bear, Churchill, Grenville, Nain, Slave, Southern, and Superior. The Canadian Shield forms the core of North America and occupies almost half of Canada's surface- and half of the Canadian Shield lies in Ontario. Ontario’s Highlands region is located in the Grenville province.

The Grenville area has been subject to numerous geological processes, including volcanic activity, glacial scouring, metamorphic activity and intense faulting and folding. Here, you see the remnants of a very ancient mountain range whose scale once rivaled the Himalayas. There were once active volcanoes and the first discovery of gold in Ontario was in this area, too. Historically, there have been countless mining operations throughout the region which have harvested all kinds of minerals including: talc, mica, quartz, corundum, marble, uranium and sodalite.

Quite an exotic playground for the amateur geologist!

Recreational geology applies to endless different activities, all of which provide a great excuse for spending time outdoors! Some activities include exploring caves, climbing, collecting fossils or gems, carving stone, prospecting, panning for gold, sightseeing & photographing and studying our mining heritage and/or geological history.

Collecting interesting rocks and minerals is a popular hobby known as rockhounding. Some rockhounds specialize in certain types of rock, minerals, gems, meteorites or fulgurites (stones that form when lightning strikes the ground). Some of us are not as discerning.

I have been attracted to rocks as long as I can remember. As I child I was constantly picking up interesting rocks and making interesting designs in the sand or tucking them into a pocket. I have amassed a substantial collection of rocks that had to come home with me. I’ve moved them countless times. & my collection continues to grow.

I don't recall a whole lot of geology being taught early in school. The little I recall comes from high school science classes that touched on the three types of rock (igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary) and some stuff about the Canadian Shield. Fortunately, I had a neighbor studying geology in university and he introduced me to some wonderful fossil specimens that he’d found on digs. They were a whole lot more interesting than overhead projections of basic geologic time scales.

When I moved to Bancroft (The Mineral Capital of Canada) in the early 90’s, I was introduced to serious rockhounding by some friends. After one short field expedition, I was hooked.

I’d had a wonderfully worn leather duffle bag that I’d held onto for years and it had been crying out for a purpose- it was perfect for my kit. Roughly, the contents include: A rock pick/hammer, a pry bar, some chisels, safety glasses, a compass, a hand lens, a couple of field guides for mineral identification, bug dope, sunscreen, gloves, a hat, a small first aid kit, plastic baggies of various size, a water bottle, some granola bars, a small collection of maps and the Bancroft & District Chamber of Commerce mineral collecting guide books.

Since that first trip, I’ve learned so much and I’ve come to understand collecting as a privilege. There are governing rules to which the amateur collector must adhere. Hobby mineral collecting means that you collect for personal pleasure and you collect for your own personal collection or to swap with other people who have collections.

Basically, if you don’t plan to sell the stuff that you dig out with your hand tools and carry home; you qualify as a hobby collector.

The Central Canadian Federation of Mineralogical Societies (CCFMS) has adopted the following Code of Ethics for its members and I think it’s something that all rockhounds should follow:

Code of Ethics for Rockhounds
1. I will respect both private and public property and will do no collecting on privately owned land without the owner's permission.
2. I will keep informed on all laws, regulations or rules governing collecting on public lands and will observe them.
3. I will, to the best of my ability, ascertain the boundary lines of property on which I plan to collect.
4. I will use no firearms or blasting material in collecting areas.
5. I will cause no willful damage to property of any kind - fences, signs, buildings etc.
6. I will leave all gates as found.
7. I will build fires in designated or safe places only, and will be certain they are completely extinguished before leaving the area.
8. I will discard no burning material - matches, cigarettes, etc.
9. I will fill all excavation holes which may be dangerous to livestock. I will not contaminate wells, creeks or other water supply.
10. I will cause no willful damage to collecting material, and will take home only what I can reasonably use.
11. I will leave all collecting areas devoid of litter, regardless of how found.
12. I will co-operate with field trip leaders, and those designated in authority in all collecting areas.
13. I will report to my Club or Federation Officers, or other proper authorities, any deposit of material on public lands which should be protected for the enjoyment of future generations for public educational and scientific purposes.
14. I will appreciate and protect our heritage of natural resources.
15. I will observe the "Golden Rule" and will use "Good Outdoor Manners" and will at, all times, conduct myself in a manner which will add to the stature and "Public Image" of rockhounds everywhere.

I confess, I am a rockhound... it's really no secret, I've talked about it in past blogs. Rockhounding is recreational... sort of amateur geology, involving the study and hobby of collecting rocks and mineral specimens from their natural environment

Armed with a geologist's hammer (which has pick-like point on one end, and a flat hammer on the other),a chisel, goggles, bug spray, tissue paper and other assorted tools in my special rock collecting satchel, I love to spend time picking away in the field.

Truthfully, I find myself rockhounding, everywhere I go. I can't help it- rocks appeal to me. Some days, a gal just has to plan a drive &/or a hike and go hunting for a specific specimen- and yet, most days spent outside are opportunities to come upon something unique- especially in and around Bancroft.

Some sources identify the Bancroft area (roughly a 60 mile radius around the town) as being one of only two locations (the other is in Siberia) around which one can find as high as 94 per cent of the those minerals known to exist on the planet. Other sources speak of over 1600 different species of minerals having been identified in the area.

No doubt about it, this is an area of vast geological diversity that has been created by numerous geological processes; like: plutonic intrusions, long periods of erosion, sedimentation, volcanic and metamorphic activity, venting and fissure filling- the result is a complex variety of rocks and minerals and specimens of excellent quality.

The Princess Sodalite Mine is one of the most interesting sites, it is known for Sodalite, a mineral that is a rich colour of blue. A quantity of sodalite was sent to Denmark from Greenland during the Napoleonic Wars. It was captured by the British, however, and examined by a Glasgow chemist, Professor Thomas Thomson, who named it after its sodium content. The Bancroft area sodalite is known as "Princess Blue" and there are various version of the story- the most popular being that when the Prince and Princess of Wales (Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and later King George V and Queen Mary)visited the area in 1901, they were presented with a piece of Sodalite- smitten, the Princess later arranged to have a large quanity shipped to England for the decoration of Marlborough House.

Alomite, Canadian Lapis, Canadian Bluestone and Princess Blue are names sometimes applied to sodalite from Bancroft, Ontario, Canada. Bancroft is the only area known to have specimens of purple sodalite.

Sodalite is thought to have some very special healing properties- it is said to soothe and calm, to clear the mind and enhance logic, wisdom and creativity. It is connected to the the throat and third eye chakras and is said to relate to the moon and Saggitarius in the zodiac.

Sodalite is believed to combat radiation damage by soaking up electromagnetic smog. This mineral is also said to cure insomnia, reduce fever, calm panic attacks and lower blood pressure. It may also be used to boost the immune system, balance metabolism and treat calcium deficiencies.

Those interested in learning more about rockhounding or about rocks, minerals, gemstones and fossils should plan to visit Bancroft from July 28 to 31- for the 48th annual Rockhound Gemboree where there will be over a hundred dealers of specimens/jewelery/tools/supplies, educational talks, demonstrations from experts and other related activities. This event draws aficionados from around the globe!

This morning, I read a June 13th report in which one of the industry giants exclaims: Greater affordability, increased selection, and pent-up demand also key factors in 2011 season.

"Buyers who held off during the recession are back in recreational property markets from coast-to-coast," says Pamela Alexander, CEO, RE/MAX Ontario-Atlantic Canada. "Their patience has been rewarded with more affordable recreational values and greater inventory levels. It's the perfect storm, as ideal market conditions dovetail with wealth recovery."

I guess you could say, it's a Buyers' Market...

but then,

the article goes on to say: "In markets in Quebec, Ontario and Atlantic Canada, the supply of recreational property has tightened considerably at the lower end, with potential price increases in store by year-end if momentum continues at the current pace."

ah, conjecture....

and the culprit?

"Inclement weather, including a late thaw and an abundance of precipitation, resulted in a slow start in many areas—Quebec was no exception—but should be offset by stronger peak season activity." The weather, claims the article.... and we need to note the use of the word "should".

This same article quotes the report with findings that "While starting prices have remained relatively stable across the board, there are deals to be had in virtually every region - especially at the top end. Luxury sales, as a result, have climbed in almost half of the markets examined. This trend was consistent in both the Eastern Townships and the Laurentians."

It is interesting to note the following information which appeared in the article as a table from the report:

I did a search, this morning, on 3 bedroom waterfront cottages on the Bancroft District Real Estate Board and I got 44 matches. The lowest priced listing was $79,900, but it's "fire damaged"- the second floor being totally destroyed, log constructed home on a river. The next, least expensive listing is on a small lake and it's a mobile on piers (doubtfully winterized)... for $142,500. There's one for $159,900 on a smaller lake but it is on a chain of lakes and this one doesn't have hydro or sewage. Another one at $159,900 is a tidy A frame on the river, close to the mouth of a nice lake. There's a 3 bedroom on a nice big lake, with gazebo and lots of decking for $199,0000- also on piers. All of these use the lake/river as their water source.

For $189,900 there's a riverside cabin with hydro, septic and a sand point well... the listing suggests that you can make this your home or cottage. Another listing for $199,900 is on a small lake, with a very small lot... but it does have a well and is winterized, although the road is a little dubious, seasonally. For $219,900 there's one on a nice big lake, in a row of cottages, that has a smallish waterfront and uses lake water. Another listed at $219,900 is on a big lake, has a septic system, uses lake water and needs finishing touches.

At $229,900 there is a year round on a big lake that would seem to be the ideal entry priced, nice package, with a drilled well, septic system, workshop, hot tub, good swimming etc.

All in all, there was 1 listing under $100,000... 1 in the $100-$150,000 range, 5 from $150-$200,000, 11 in the $250-$300,0000 range, 15 in the $300-$400,000 range, 3 listed in the $400-$500,000 range and 2 listed over $500,000.

When I took out lot size and number of bedrooms, the Bancroft Board search for waterfront cottages came up to 58 in number. A similar search on the Haliburton Board brought up 189 matches. There were 7 listings in the under $200,000 category (all of them over the $150K mark. There were 11 priced between $200 & $250,000. There were 40 listings in the $250-$300,000 price range and also 40 in the $300-$400,000 range. 25 cottages were listed for sale in the $400-$500,000 range, 43 in the $500-$1,000,000 range and the remainder were over the $1,000,000 mark.

A search of the Barry's Bay/Combermere area brought up 34 matches. 4 were in the $150-$200,000 range. 2 in the $200-$250,000 range. 7 in the $250-$300,000 range. 16 listed in the $300-$400,000 range. 4 in the $400-$500,000 price range and 1 in the $500-$1,000,000 price range.

The thing about number is, they can be manipulated to say whatever you really want them to say... the bottom line is that there are still some reasonably priced properties for sale and if you are interested in purchasing one and the seller is interested in selling it, you can make a good deal.

Remember: Choosing the right representative is key to making the most of your real estate transaction... a Realtor(c) will guide you and negotiate.

Many mover & shakers in the industry believe that prices may begin to climb as things heat up, this summer. This may be true.

Under the current dreary economic conditions, it has never been more important to create visual attractiveness in our surroundings. Designers suggest we think "cool and refreshing" as we transition our living spaces for the summer of 2011.

We've all heard about curb appeal (the view people have when they drive by or arrive at your place) and the same improvements apply to the inside; as they do the outside. There are times that adding elements can improve appeal, but there are other times when removing something is even more effective.

Take down those tired Christmas lights, seasonal wreaths and other leftovers. Get a nice, new, fresh welcome mat for your door.

Most buyers cannot visualize changes, and often won't view a place if the first look isn't appealing. Home buyers who can visualize changes, and are prepared to make them, expect you to reduce the price of the house to compensate for the work they plan to do.

While "sprucing up" is a very important task for those considering a sale of their property, it should be something that we do for our selves, too. It's important to remember that buyers are inspired by what they see in home magazines- so it's best that our places are current and fresh, without being trendy to the point where the average person can't relate to the decorating.

While it's pleasing to express ourselves in our surroundings, there's no doubt that the general perception of "what’s hot and what’s not can" change daily, you want the place to be attractive to a wide demographic– not just those who share the same tastes you do. This doesn't mean that you should only make “safe” choices without personality but rather, it is wise to incorporate trends in things that can be more easily moved or replaced.

After decluttering (which is the number one item on the list of things to do that will improve the look of your environs), consider the versatility of paint colour – walls can always be repainted, and really should be repainted every 5-10 years, as a matter of maintenance. Colour is a brilliant and inexpensive way to brightent the drab. The key is to use colour in small but effective ways. By layering the room with the color in a few small ways you can acheive a change in the look without any major changes.

This summer, decorating musts include decluttering and visually sweeping spaces clean. Much like we rake lawns and flowerbeds to get rid of the debris that gathered over the winter and spring, less is more when it comes to decorating. Find new ways to arrange your furniture- we all must stop jamming it against the wall.

When selecting a colour pallette, it's a good idea to have an idea of current colour trends- the stuff in home and decorating magazines. The "Tuscan" that featured golds, greens and rusts is out, although those colours- used in different ways- can still be used effectively. Today's golds are more the "honey" tones, reminiscent of warm, worn leather. These are frequently teamed with saturated and wholesome colors including nature-inspired, rich greens and splashes of strong tones of orange, citrus lime and red may be used sparingly as accents.

Contemporary design is in- this is not to be confused with modern (lots of metallic and glass surfaces), contemporary is simple and plain. You might say that it is a cleaner approach. In contemporary decor, one wall might be painted in a dramatic colour – say a red or blue – to create high-contrast and that colour would be repeated strategically in the room but not throughout and using colour to focus on where the attention will be drawn, for instance: on an original art piece, a large statue or a unique flower arrangement. The absence of art just screams fear or laziness.

Another attribute of contemporary design is the uniqueness of the decor such as odd shaped vases, unconventional lamps and avant-garde chairs or tables. Bigger, bulkier pieces like a sofa should be in solid colors, and then add patterns around it with chairs or accessories. It’s nice to have a balance of warm and cool colors, for example: it's nice to integrate orange and blue in the same room.

A more urban contemporary look mixes cement tones: grays, deep and deep purples with black-gray undertones. Here, white might be the accent colour. Texture is key to another trend. The color selections are soft and faded. Windswept and washed effects and monochromatic layering also set the palette. Accent colors include light pink, slate blue and grayish brown. Gray is the new beige.

Deep Fuschia and honeysuckle pink are the hot colour pick of designers this year but blue remains the consumer leader. (Pink is one of the most difficult colours to accept in decorating although if used properly, it becomes unnoticeable.) Brighter colors lighten the mood and, with flat weaves, give the feeling of a summerhouse. Removing heavy throws, pillows and rugs can make a room feel lighter and creates a more airy feeling that opens up the space.

Bring the outdoors in with outdoor furnishings and pots. Taking cues from nature and flowers, current popular colour themes are drawn from owls, butterflies, leaves, birds and dragonflies- to create a sense of nature and nurture.

If a room is bland and box-like, incorporate an interesting focal point featuring colour- perhaps a display of colourful china or a huge piece of art, or a large piece of free-standing,vibrantly-painted furniture. Purples, pinks, reds and yellows are summer colours and add a cheery vibe to a room. A simple vase of fresh flowers or branches are a nice celebration of the summer season. A glass bowl of lemons, limes or oranges treats you and your eyes to a picnic of color.

Some very effective decorating utilizes a neutral pallette with a punch of colour thrown onto a feature wall. The feature colour can then be used for a few, simple accessories. When decorating with neutrals you must think of it as an intentional design. Develop the scheme with a variety of textures and materials that combine smooth and rough or shiny and dull for depth and interest. Whites, creams, beiges, and taupes may have undertones of blue, green, yellow, or pink- be sure the undertones of your selections work together

For a bedroom, it's still wise to use the lightest of colour. Light creamy green or blue is relaxing. Pop colour through accessories. In living rooms, the trend has moved away from traditional whites, light blues and browns, toward dramatic feature walls and touches of bold pattern. In a large room, where you want create a cosy a sense of seclusion and relaxation, opposing walls can be painted the same colour. Bright, sunlit rooms can accomodate big, bold shades of fuchsia or topaz.

Warm reds, yellows, pinks, turquoise, greens and oranges are all the rage, for the kitchen. Warm gray neutrals, natural limestone colours and textures, paired with sleek white cabinets or dark woods. Again, dynamic pops of bold colour and bright prints paired with classic earthy neutrals create a feast for the eyes and resonate exotic destinations. Retro looks from the 50s and 60s are still in vogue.

It's best to avoid using greens and yellows in a bathroom, these colours reflect into the mirror and change the perception of your complexion. Instead, look toward beiges, peaches and softer shades of pink that complement the skin tone. Corals and reds are envigorating.

When doing colour in the home, the general rule is to select three main colours. You many use other colours, here and there. Many decorators opt for the 60-30-10 principle: 60% being the wall colour, furniture and fabric 30% and 10% for accessories. Three is a magic number- it's always recommended that you use an odd number of items when accessorizing. A coffee tables should only have one or two things on it, otherwise it looks like a clutter collector in the middle of the room. It's good to use repetition- such as three artistic vases in a row on a dining room table, or groupings of similar, small objects on end tables or walls.

When it comes to window coverings... don't go too short. Place the curtain rod as close to the ceiling or molding as possible. Look for curtains that are lined with cream or white cotton and the material should "break (like a gentleman's trousers) one-half inch from the finished floor. Patterned or sheer panels work great in bedrooms or informally decorated rooms. The safest way to take a risk with bold colours is through throw cushions.

If you have a wood-burning fireplace or stove, in the non-heating season you should clean the space and set up a nice collection of candles.

I am writing this blog in response to the recent number of people who have asked me “Is the market up or down?”

The latest release from the Canadian Federation of Independent Business claims that confidence among Ontario’s small and medium business owners declined in May. My personal interaction with small and medium business owners would concur. The Federation reports that its Business Barometer Index fell to the lowest point since November 2010. The Federation interprets their results as an indication that Ontario’s economy is growing at a rate that is below normal. Their report cites major cost concerns for these business owners are fuel, energy, tax and regulatory expense.

Commercial real estate market conditions vary throughout the province. The Toronto area commercial market indicates the best market conditions, overall. Industrial real estate sectors report weak conditions that are not expected to improve this year.

Luxury home representatives report a booming market, especially in Vancouver- where foreign investment has been an important influence. Other regions point to the recovery of the stock market and improved economic performance as having boosted the finances of those who are “well-off”.

This is something I have recently discussed with my “Seller” clients. High end properties are selling well, particularly if they have acreage or water frontage. It would appear that the wealthy have not been significantly impacted by recent economic stress factors.

Bank of Montreal has recently reported that, nationwide, housing prices have “more than doubled in the past ten years”. http://www.marketwire.com/press-release/tale-three-cities-bmo-report-shows-wide-disparity-housing-market-valuations-vancouver-tsx-bmo-1523747.htm This Article says, “The report flags the possibility of lower prices in Vancouver, steadier to softer prices in Toronto and firmer prices in Calgary in the near future. In addition, Canada's real estate market is vulnerable to a correction if there is a rapid rise in interest rates due to higher inflation, an increase in unemployment because of a weak U.S. economy, or a slowing in foreign investment.” and quotes BMO’s Head of Mortgage Products as saying, “Canadians need to examine ways to reduce overall housing costs.”

Again, this is, more or less, what I’ve been telling my clients since my recent number crunching exercise and subsequent travel through the many of the United States. Through simple observations and conversations with residents, it was obvious that our neighbours to the south are experiencing financial stress.

An all too familiar sight on the Interstate highways during my May 2011 trip into the United States

Online, an article dated May 24, 2011 by Christine Dobby (http://business.financialpost.com/2011/05/24/riocan-and-calloway-race-to-open-outlet-malls/)
states that an “...April 2011 survey from the Boston Consulting Group recently found while Canadians are still optimistic about the economy in general, 90% of consumers plan to spend the same or less this year compared to last. The survey found Canadians, who did not modify their spending as dramatically as Americans during the economic downturn, are now being forced to cut back out of necessity as debt stretches households’ finances further and further.” This same article quotes a shopper who no longer makes trips to the United States, “due to time constraints and cost.” Our dollar has been near parity for some time.

A public opinion poll, conducted online by Ipsos-Reid from February 23 to March 2 of this year, for the Ontario Real Estate Association, revealed that home ownership remains the goal of 70% of renters. The results also suggest that ninety four per cent of Ontarians believe that home ownership provides a healthy and stable environment for raising a family; however, affordability for the purchase and maintenance of a home is a significant hurdle for most.

In the Greater Bancroft Area, the average sale price for a single family detached home has dropped to about $110,000. (Based on my January 1st to mid-April research) & our Board statistics indicate a drop in the number of sales, as well.

On May 20th, Ontario Real Estate statistics were reported that sales volumes and sales-to-new listings ratios were hovering around the norm in 20 of the province’s 43 real estate board areas. The other 23 board areas posted weak results indicating over-supply. These markets had unusually low sales-to-new listings ratios or unusually sharp declines in dollar sales volume.

According to the “Spring Housing Market Outlook” report from Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation “After an active 2010, existing MLS® home sales are slowing and will fall five per cent this year and will recover only modestly next year.” Ted Tsiakopoulos, CMHC’s Ontario Regional Economist was recently quoted as saying “Consumer buying patterns, particularly in more expensive southern Ontario markets, will increasingly shift to less expensive housing over the next few years thanks to tighter mortgage market conditions. This bodes well for the apartment ownership and rental sector.”

This isn’t always the best news for those who wish to sell at this time.

Some people will tell you that there are two seasons in cottage country, winter and bugs. Other people don’t notice the bugs, at all. There are some common bugs that are seen at most cottages from time to time and once you understand their habits, they’re easier to deal with.

Black flies are attracted to perfume, cologne, aftershave and the residue of scented shampoo in your hair. Black flies will try to get under your clothes, so try tucking your pants into your socks and putting elastic bands around your wrists. Black flies can’t bite you through your clothes. Black flies are particularly fierce at sunset and they seem to love perspiration. When the black flies legs start turning white, the season is almost at an end.

Blue Damselfly

Damselflies shouldn’t be confused with Dragonflies, they are very similar. Damselflies are smaller, weaker and their eyes are separated (a dragonfly has large multi-faceted eyes). Damselflies eat midges and mosquitoes and other annoying bugs. Dragonfly nymphs live in the water. As a dragonfly grows, it sheds its skin. You often see the shed shape of dragonflies on the tips of weeds or reeds because the dragonfly larva climbs them, at night and once the sun rises they are ready to fly. An adult dragonfly lives about 2 weeks. When a damselfly is at rest, their wings are held away from them. Damselflies hold their wings at rest together above the torso or held slightly open above.
Butterflies and moths do not bite.

A Shad Fly

Shad Flies (also known as Mayflies) live for a couple of weeks. They emerge from fresh water lakes when the summer heats up. A car, splattered with dead shad flies smells something like dead fish.
Wasps (also known as yellow jackets) are famous for getting into soft drink cans, undetected. It’s best to keep them covered. Bees and wasps are attracted to sweet scents.

Mosquitoes are drawn to dark colours. They are out, full force, at sunrise and sunset.
Biting midges are active at dusk and dawn. The female requires a blood meal, after mating, in order to obtain the protein required for her eggs. Some folks refer to these as no seeums, sand fleas or sand flies. They are very tiny but their bites can cause a severe rash and are much itchier than mosquito bites.

Deer flies and horse flies prefer animals to humans. They are prolific on hot, sunny days. When they bite, they take large chunks. They seem to be drawn to wet bodies, so they may attack your head while you are swimming or getting out of the lake. Deer flies are yellow and black; horse flies are bigger and all black.

Stable flies look like house flies. Both genders bite. They develop in piles of decaying straw, manure, grass clippings or other piles of rotting vegetation.

Cluster flies come in a variety of sizes. Most are a little bigger than houseflies and a dark grey colour. Cluster flies hang around in the fall and spring, mostly. They often buzz up and down at windows and often fall on their backs and spin around, dying. This fly develops as a parasite of a species of earthworms. They do not pose any health threat and more of annoyance than anything, because they manifest in the hundreds and thousands.

Lady bugs or Lady Beetles are generally a friendly little creature. They feed insects such as aphids which may be harmful to vegetation. The standard lady bug does not bite, however, the Asian lady bug (also known as the Japanese lady bug or beetle) are known to “pinch”. Asian lady bugs travel in massive groups and congregate on walls or other surfaces. They can be differentiated from the everyday lady bug by way of size- the Asian variety being larger, about 1/3-inch long, whereas general lady bugs are only ¼ of an inch. The Asian lady bugs may have more than one colour and they usually have 19 spots- common lady bugs have far fewer. A lady bug’s spots fade as they age and a lady bug may play dead, if threatened.

Pine Bugs or Beetles are also known as Pine Seed Beetles. About an inch in length, with even longer antennae, these reddish-brown bugs spend the summer in the pine trees but prefer to come inside for the other seasons. They like to hang out in piled wood or lumber. Pine Seed Bugs do not bite or sting; however, they can leave behind an unpleasant odour and sometimes stain furniture or draperies.
White garden slugs are the larvae of June Bugs. Adult June Bugs are less than an inch in length, shiny, brown and have long slender legs. Geraniums have been known to repel the larvae and prevent them from being destructive to lawns and gardens. June Bugs don’t bite but they do have spurs on their legs that may prickle a little.

A Firefly

Fireflies (also known as lightening bugs or glow worms) produce a form of light that has no ultraviolet or infrared frequencies. The light emanates from their abdomens and may appear to be pale-red, yellow or green.

A Cicada

The Cicada is more often heard than seen. They are known for that droning or buzzing, high-pitched sound that is made by the males, especially late in the summer, on hot humid days. There are nine or ten species of cicada in Ontario and they are not prevalent enough to create any damage to our forests.

There are any species of ants in Ontario. The most destructive variety of ant is the carpenter ant. The carpenter ant is the largest species in the area. They live in wood and have a preference for wet, fungus damaged wood. They are a wonderful part of the forest ecosystem, chewing up fallen trees and creating compost that assists in new forest growth. They commonly nest in standing trees or stumps but as the colony grows, they may enter cottages and homes and do considerable damage to the structure. Often, the damage done by carpenter ants is not visible without opening walls and ceilings. The carpenter ant should not be confused with the smaller black ant that tends to make extensive tunnels and chambers in the ground.

Fire Ants

Fire ants are red. They live in mounds, often in moist areas. Their nests are not usually visible; they may be hidden around cottage piers, under logs or rocks. Fire ants may attack small animals. Extremely territorial, their sting well up into a blister sometimes a day or two after contact. The bite causes a burning pain and some individuals may severely react and will require medical attention.

Deer Tick

Deer ticks are actually arachnids or arthropods, like spiders, and if you happen to have contact with one, they’re nasty. They hide out in low bush and once they attack, they burrow into the skin. They can carry Lyme disease and other diseases. Ticks are sneaky; they release a nerve numbing substance, preventing their host from sensing their presence.

Box Elder Bug

Box elder Bugs are about one half inch long. They are dark brown or black and have red markings on their wings and abdomens. They love to munch on ash and maple trees. They are not harmful, although they are usually numerous and their droppings can be quite substantial.

Bugs are the reason that screened tents and porches are popular in cottage country. Another coping strategy is to place a fan near where you are sitting. Most insects cannot fly in the wind. Bugs are an important part of the ecosystem. You can make a natural insect repellent by mixing a carrier oil (sunflower oil, almond oil, olive oil, witch hazel) with cinnamon oil, castor oil or citronella oil (for mosquitoes and biting flies). Use eucalyptus or rose geranium oil for mosquitoes, ticks and lice. Orange oil repels fleas. You can mix this with a little aloe vera gel, for consistency. Store your homemade insect repellent in a brown bottle.

44/ vintage cottage.

Listed 9 October 2010 for $183,000 sold November 8 2010 for $179,000 (I’m not sure why this one came up on my search of entries from January 1, 2011.

45/ Waterfront Year Round 4 bedroom.

Listed for $239,900 on 16 August 2010 and sold for $232,000 on 7 Feb 2011. Appears to have been sold in 6 months for 97% of asking price. Further investigation shows that this property was also listed 15 May 09 for $299,000 and 28 Jan 2010 for $249,000 but those listings both expired. So it actually took 21 months for a sale and it went for 78% of the original asking price.

46/ waterfront cottage.

Listed 5 Nov 2010 for $239,900 and sold 8 April 2011 for $235,000- appears to be 5 months to sell for 98% of asking price. This property was also listed 11 Feb 07 for $275,000 and 22 April 2010 for $279,900 so really, it took more like 12 months to sell for 84% of the original list price.

47/ 3 bedroom home

Listed 7 Feb 2011 for $269,900 and sold 7 March 2011 for $265,000. It looks like it took a month to sell for 98% of asking price. This property was also listed in January 27, 2010 for $289,900 and in July of 2010 for $275,900- so in reality it actually took about 13 months to sell for about 91% of the original list price.

48/ waterfront home.

Listed 3 Dec 2010 for $309,900 and sold 18 January 2011 for $302,500. Only 6 weeks to sell at 97% of list price.

49/ single family home.

Listed 19 Jan 2011 for $88,900 and sold 25 Feb 2011 for $75,000 or about 84% of asking price.

50/ small home on almost an acre

Listed 17 January 2011 for $156,900 and sold 31 Mach 2011 for $146,000- appears to have taken 2 ½ months to sell for 93% of asking price. This property was also listed May 2010 for $159,900 but expired- so it actually took 13 months to sell at 91% of the original list price.

51/ home on just under an acre

Listed 24 October for $169,000 and sold 20 April 2011- 6 months on the market and sold for 97 ½ % of asking price

52/ home on 50 Acres

Listed 06 Dec 2010 for $197,500 and sold 23 Feb 2011 for $170,000. On the market for 2 ½ months and sold at 86% of list price.

53/ Home on 94 acres

Listed 27 Feb 2011 for $319,900 and sold 04 April 2011 for $295,000- appears to have been on the market for 5 weeks and sold for 92% of asking price. This property was also listed March 29, 2010 for $329,900 and 10 Sept 2010 for $319,900- so it actually took a year to sell for 89% of the original asking price.

54/ 8.2 acres vacant land

Listed 21 March 2011 for $39,900 and sold 7 April 2011 for $35,000- on the market about 2 weeks, it sold for 87% of asking price.

55/ 2 bedroom bungalow on about ½ acre

Listed 22 January 2011 for $149,000 and sold 08 April 2011 for $135,000- on the market about 2 ½ months and sold for 90% of asking price. This property was also listed May 4, 2008 and that listing was cancelled. Not sure how to calculate how long this property was truly exposed to the market.

56/ 145 Acres- vacant land

Listed 21 Oct 2010 for $125,000 and sold 14 January 2011 for $120,000- 3 months on the market and sold for 96% of asking price.

57/ Home on about 31 acres

Listed 18 March 2011 for $169,000 and sold 08 April 2011 for $160,000- 2 ½ weeks on the market and sold for 95% of asking price.

58/ Home on 5.7 acres

Listed 18 Nov 2010 for $214,900 and sold 22 April 2011 for $208,000. Appears to have been 5 months on the market and to have sold for 97% of asking price. This property was also listed 18 June 08 for $219,000 and 11 Nov 2009 for $219,900 and June 1 2010 for $214,900- so it was actually on the market 34 months and sold for 94% of the original asking price.

59/ Home on 2.64 acres.

Listed 22 March 2011 for $145,000 and sold 11 April 2011 for $138,500. Appears to have been n the market 3 weeks and to have sold for 96% of asking price. This property was also listed June 12, 2009 for $169,900 and April 28, 2010 for $149,900- so the property was actually exposed to the market for 22 months and sold for 81% of the original asking price.

60/ Home on 2.5 acres

Listed 11 March 2011 for $169,900 and sold 16 April 2011 for $168,000. This property was also listed June of 2006 for $169,900 but that listing had expired.

61/ Home on 2.75 acres

Listed 28 Sept 2010 for $249,900 and sold 10 Feb 2011 for $248,000. This property also sold in 2003 for $210,000 and 2004 for $210,000 and in 2006 for $220,000.

62/ Lakefront home needs TLC

Listed 15 March 2011 for $65,900 and sold 24 March 2011 for $68,100. This property sold in 1 week at 103% of asking price. It had been listed back on 10 August 2000 for $67,900 but that listing expired.

63/ Bungalow on just under an acre

Listed 01 Mar 2011 for $115,900 and sold 18 March 2011 for $114,000- appears to have been on the market for 2 weeks and to have sold for 98% of asking price. This property was also listed 29 Jun 2010 for $138,000 and 30 Sept 2010 for $129,900 but those listings expired. So, the house was actually on the market for about 9 months and sold for 82 1/2 % of the original listing price.

64/ 2 Bedroom bungalow on ¾ of an acre

Listed 10 May 2010 for $117,000 and sold 25 March 2010 for $105,000. On the market for 10 months, it sold for 89% of asking price.

65/ Vacant lot about 2/3 of an acre

Listed 29 Sept 2010 for $10,500 and sold 09 Feb 2011 for $9,900 or 90% of asking price

66/ 6.45 acre lot with small storage building

Listed 15 March 2001 for $39,900 and sold 14 April 2011 for $32,000- listed 1 month and sold for 80% of asking price- this property was also listed 5 October 1999 at $19,900 but that listing expired.

67/ 53.48 acres- vacant land

Listed 22 October 2010 for $42,900 and sold 30 Dec 2010 for $30,000. On the market for 2 months, it sold for 70% of asking price.

68/ 2 bedroom bungalow on just under ½ acre

Listed 07 Jan 2011 for $169,000 and sold 16 March 2011 for $164,900- listed for just over 2 months and sold for 97% of asking price. This property was also listed as a vacant lot in 2002 & 2003 but expired... in 2005 it was listed for $220,000 but that listing was cancelled.

69/ two bedroom on 1.3 acre

Listed 12 August 2010 for $178,500 and sold 04 Feb 2011 for $173,500. Appears to have been on the market for 6 months and to have sold for 97% of listing price. This property was on the market in 05/06/07 for $217,900 but those listings expired.

70/ 3 bedroom on just over an acre

Listed 20 Jan 2011 for $299,900 and sold 02 Feb 2011 for $290,000- on the market 2 weeks, it sold for 97% of asking price.

71/ 5 bedroom- in town

Listed 30 Nov 2010 for $159,000 and sold 30 March 2010 for $146,592. This listing was on the market for 4 months and sold for 91% of asking price.

72/ 4 bedroom in town

Listed 20 March 2011 for $159,900 and sold 15 April 2011 for $150,000. On the market for just under a month, it sold for 93% of listing price.

73/ in town, 3 bedroom bungalow

Listed 02 March 2011 for $164,900 and sold 15 April 2011 for $148,500. In 5 weeks, this property sold for 90% of asking price.

74/ In town, small 1 bedroom

Listed 6 Jan 2011 for $79,900 and sold 4 Feb 2011 for $75,000. In one month it sold for 94% of asking price. This property was also listed 18 March 2008 for $82,000 but that listing expired.

75/ older 3 bedroom in town

Listed 3 Feb 2011 for $87,500 and sold 7 March 2011 for $82,500. This property was being sold by a financial company- it was listed a month and sold for 93% of asking price. It had been purchased in 2009 for $89,900. It has been listed 19 July 2010 for $99,900.

76/ 3 bedroom in town

Listed 21 Jan 2011 for $126,000 sold 12 Feb 2011 for $126,000. Sold in two weeks for full price... what’s interesting is that there were never any photos of this property posted, no room measurements and only 11 words used in the listing description.

1/ single family residential on 5.7 acres. Listed 28 July 2010 for $39,900 and sold January 11, 2011 for $37,000. Was on the market about 6 months and sold for 95% of asking price.

2/ single family on 2 acres. Listed January 7, 2011 for $83,000 and sold March 29, 2011 for $80,000. Previous was listed twice, with different companies, both listings were cancelled before their expiry dates. Listed October 6, 2010 @$97,000 and September 17, 2010 @ $97,000.

3/ single family with garage and workshop. Seller was a financial institution. Listed November 16, 2010 for @131,900 and sold January 17, 2011 for $128,000. This property had been sold for $165,000 in October of 2008.

4/ Custom built 6,000 sq foot home on 1.3 acre lot. Seller was a financial institution. Listed January 12, 2011 for $395,000 and sold February 14, 2011 for $383,000. There were 2 prior listings with another company that expired. March 3, 2010 and August 4, 2010 both at $599,000.

5/ waterfront cottage. Listed January 4, 2011 for $479,900 and sold January 19, 2011 for $467,000. This listed had been previously listed March 2, 2010 for $499,900 but the listing was cancelled and another listing 21 September 2009 for $499,900 that expired.

6/ waterfront chalet. Listed January 21, 2011 for $649,000 and sold February 10, 2011 for full price, in just 3 weeks.

7/ ooops, I missed a number.

8/ residential home with 5 bay garage and close to public access beach. Listed 14 October 2011 for $169,900 and sold 4 Feb 2011 for $170,000. This listed had previous been listed April 12, 2010 with the same company, for $182,900, but expired.

9/Waterfront cottage. Listed April 6, 2011 for $249,900 and sold April 20, 2011 for $245,000. Sold for 98% of asking price in just 2 weeks.

10/waterfront cottage listed October 1, 2010 for $279,900 and sold March 26, 2011 for $260,000. Sold in 6 months for 93% of asking price.

11/ single family home on 37.78 acres with river frontage. Listed 28 January 2011 for $99,000 and sold in weeks for 87% of asking price, $85,000.

12/Lakefront home with garage/workshop and boathouse. Listed March 31, 2011 for $279,000 and sold in 3 weeks, on 18 April, 2011 for 95% of asking price, $265,000.

13/ single family home on ½ acre. Listed November 27, 2010 for $159,900 and sold in just around 2 months at 95% of asking price, $152,500.

14/mobile home on 2 acres. Listed 16 March 2011 for $39,900 and sold 29 March 2011 for $30,000. This property had been previously listed Nov 25, 2010 for $43,900 but expired.

15/ About 10 acres of waterfront property, with cabin. Listed Jan 28, 2010 for $149,900 and sold for 97% of asking price, in just 2 weeks for $145,000. This property was previously listed Feb 15/08 for $179,000 but that listing was cancelled. It was listed again, 23 August 2008 for $169,500 but that listing was cancelled. It was listed again, Nov 20/10 for $149,500 but that listing expired.

16/Single family home on ¼ acre. Listed 29 Sept 2010 for $89,900 and sold in just over 6 months, on April 5, 2011for 85% of asking price, $77,000.

17/Waterfront cottage. Listed 18 May 2010 for #319,900 and sold in 9 months on the 12 of March 2011 for 78% of asking price, $250,000.

18/ Five Acres of wooded land. Listed 8 Dec 2010 for $10,900 and sold January 19, 2011 for $10,000. In 5 weeks it was sold for 92% of asking price. Was previously listed June 2/03 for $10,900 but expired.

19/ 25.5 acres, log home on pond. Listed November 25, 2010 for $330,000 and sold January 10, 2011 for $317,000. In not quite 6 weeks, this property appears to have sold for 96% of asking price. This property was previously listed on June 5/09 for $399,000 and June 5/09 for $399,000 and on May 13/10 for $399,900 and August 12/10 for $344,900, but all of those listings expired.

20/Cottage. Listed 12 Jan 2011 for $139,000 and sold 11 March 2011 for full price. This property had been previously listed and expired, so in fact, it was on the market for 7 months.

21/ Waterfront home or cottage. Listed November 26, 2010 for $169,900 and sold 22 December 2010 for 88.5% of asking price, $150,500

22/Waterfront home or cottage. Listed 01 July 2010 for $174,900 and sold March 18, 2011 for 97% of asking price, $170,000. The seller paid $152,500 for this home in 2004. It was previously listed on 27 October 09 for $174,900 but expired- so, in fact, it was on the market for 15 months.

23/small home across the road from public landing. Listed 11 March 23011 for $76,000 and sold 14 April 2011 for $66,000. It looks as though the property was listed less than a month and sold for 87% of asking price. This property was also listed 22 January 2008 for $74,900 but that listing was cancelled.

24/Home/Cottage with deeded access to lake. Listed 13 December, 2010 for $89,900 and sold for 87% in just 30 days, 13 January 2011 $87,000. This property was previously listed May 18/07 for $139,000 but cancelled, March 9, 2009 for $129,000 but was withdrawn and June 19/09 for $129,900 but expired.

25/Small house on an acre. Listed 21 August 2008 for $129,900 and sold 16 March 2011 for $129,000. This property took 31 months to sell for full price.

26/ home in small village. Listed 18 May 2010 for $119,500 and sold 25 February 2011 for $110,000. This property sold in 9 months for 92% of asking price.

27/ Log cabin on 25 acres. Listed 18 April 2010 for $139,900 and sold 11 March 2011 for $130,000. This property was listed for 11 months and sold for 93% of asking price... it had been purchased in 2008 for $130,000.

28/ Leased land with 2 bedroom mobile. Was listed March 7, 2011 for $19,000 and sold March 18, 2011 for $16,000.

29/ small cabin on 50 acres. Listed 12 Sept 2010 for $84,900 and sold in just over 4 months for 94% of asking price, $80,000. This property had actually been listed 12 May/09 for $99,900 but expired.

30/ 1.3 acres on small lake. Listed 20 January 2011 for $99,900 and sold February 4 2011 for $86,000. This looks impressive, a sale for 86% of asking price in just 2 weeks... but, in reality, the property was listed Feb 2/10 for $109,000 and then 28 Sept 2010 for $99,900, so it was actually on the market about a year.

31/ 1.96 waterfront acre. Listed February 23, 2011 for $99,900 and sold in 6 weeks on the 19 April 20101 for 98.5% of asking price, $98,500.

32/ 51 acres with old derelict building. Listed 12 July 2010 for $59,500 and sold 7 months later, February 9, 2011 for 97% of asking price, $58,000.

33/ Waterfront cottage. Listed 29 January 2011 for $299,900 and sold in less than a month for 96% of asking price, $288,500. Actually, this property was listed in Oct 2008 for $419,000 and March 2009 for $349,900, then September 2009 for $349,900 then in October of 2009 for $309,900- therefore it took 33 months for this property to sell.

34/ Retreat or hunt camp on 5.56 acres. Listed November 11 2010 for $64,900 and sold 2 months later, for 92% of asking price, $60,000. The property had been purchased in June of 2006 for $35,900.

35/ 108 acres. Listed 25 May 2010 for $89,000 and sold in 13 months on March 21, 2011 for 94% of asking price, $84,000.

36/Waterfront winterized cottage. Listed 22 Jan 2011 and sold 3 months later, 13 April 2011 for 97% of asking price, $340,000.

37/ 400 acres hunting property. Listed 28 April 2010 and sold in 8 months on 9Feb 2011 for $115,000 or 57% of asking price.

38/ Waterfont cottage. Listed 24 Feb 2011 for $339,000 and sold in one month on 28 March 2011 for $346,000. 102% of asking price.

39/Mobile home on about 25 acres. Listed 4 Oct 2010 for $59,000 and sold in 4 months for 94% of asking price- 27 Jan 2011 $55,500.

40/ cabin on 25 acres. Listed 11 November 2010 for $79,900 and sold in 3 ½ months on 24 Feb 2011 for 88% of asking price at $70,000. This property was also listed 13 Jan 08 for $72,900, May 12 08 for $79,900 and 10 Oct 09 for $84,900 but this listings were cancelled, or expired. This property was actually exposed to the market for 34 months.

41/ waterfront cottage listed 3 Feb 2011 for $279,900 and sold 7 March 2011 for $249,000. 89% of asking price.

42/ 25 acre treed lot. Listed 26 Jan 2011 and sold in 6 weeks on 16 Mar 2011 for 63% of asking price, $22,500.

43/ Bungalow on 11.7 acres. Listed 14 Jan 11 for $121,900 and sold 11 Feb 11 for $115,000- less than a month for 94% of asking price... this property was also listed 17 July 10 for $121,900, so it exposed to the market for 7 months.

Listing #10: Single Family home on 1.33 acre

Listed Sept 6, 2010 by Company X for $125,000 and sold Jan 21, 2011 by Company X for $120,000

This property sold in 4 months for 96% of asking price.

The real story (I’m thinking that this should really be “the bigger picture”): This property was previously listed 09/06/10 for $139,900 by Company X and expired. On 06/22/01 this property was listed for $122,900 and sold 10/17/01 for $112,500- also with Company X. A new furnace was installed in 2009, so there wasn’t much of an increase in value, if any, in a decade.

Listing #11: Vacant 26.6 acres with driveway

Listed Dec 12, 2010 by Company Y for $43,900 and sold on 20 Feb 2011 for $39,000

In just over 60 days this property sold for over 88% of asking price.

The bigger picture: This property was previously listed 20 October 2009 at $ 35,000 and sold on the 30th of October 2009 for $ 33,000 also with Company Y.

Listing #12: Single Family Residence on 1.67 acres

Listed December 21, 2010 by Company A for $104,900 and sold March 8, 2011 by an out-of-town Company for $100,000.

In just over 2 months, this property sold for over 95% of asking price.

The bigger picture: This property was listed by an out-of-town Company October 8, 2005 for $74,900 and sold January 21, 2006 for $64,000. It was listed again, in 2010 with an out-of-town Company at $109,900 but expired.

Listing #13: Single Family Residence on 2.92 acres

Listed Dec 8, 2010 with Company Z for $129,900 and sold March 8, 2011 by an out-of-town Company for $124,000.

Listed for 3 months and sold for just over 95% of asking price.

The bigger picture: This property was listing 20 July 2008 for $108,500 and sold for $105,000 on Sept 28, 2008. It was listed for sale with Company Z on August 27, 2010 for $135,000 and expired. It would appear that this listing was actually on the market for closer to 7 months and sold for 91% of what they originally listed for.

Listing #14: Single Family Residential on about 74 acres

Listed Sept 17, 2010 for $149,900 with Company X and sold by Company Y for $144,000 on 07 February 2011.

Listed for 5 months and sold for 96% of asking price

The bigger picture: This property was listed previously with Company D March 3, 2007 for $419,900 and expired. This property was listed with Company D January 25, 2008 for $360,000 and expired. In both cases, the property was listed as 97 acres.

Listing #15: Waterfront Bungalow on a little over ½ acre

Listed January 1, 2011 for $298,900 with Company B and sold March 26, 2011 for $289,000 by Company A

Looks like not quite 3 months and it sold for over 96% of asking price.

The bigger picture: This same property was listed the 1st of March 2008 by an out-of-town Company for $ 337,500 but it expired. This property was also listed by another out-of-town Company 2 July 2010 for $298,700 and expired. This property was listed with Company B October 15, 2010 for $298,900 but expired. When it sold, it sold for just over 85% of the 2008 asking price.

Listing #16: Vacant 13 acre property

Listed 21 Jan 2011 for $32,500 by Company X an sold Mar 28 2011 by Company X for $22,450

about 2 months to sell... at 69% of asking price.

The bigger picture: when I checked this listing number, I came up with 3 totally different listings with the same roll number. The first was the above mentioned transaction. Another was a 6 acre waterfront property listed with Company X on 19 Sept 2005 for $189,900 and sold by Company X November 11 2005 for $183,900. The other listing was a log home on 7 acres listed by Company X on 18 Sept 2004 for $229,000 the civic address was 3 numbers higher than the civic listed for the $ 183,000 sale- this listing expired.

Listing #17: Vacant 13 acre property

Listed 31 Jan 2011 by the same Company as listing #16... for $35,500 and sold by that same Company X on 28 March 2011 for $22,350. This listing has a different end digit on the roll number than listing #16.

The bigger picture: I don’t know, I’m so confused!

Listing #18: Tidy little house on just over an acre.

Listed by Company X Jan 13, 2011 for $62,500 and sold Feb 19, 2011 by Company X for $60,000.

Looks good, pretty well 30 days and sold for 96% of the asking price.

The bigger picture: this place is on the border of another real estate board's area and it may have been listed before- although I did check the other board, it was listed by an office that sometimes gets the roll numbers confused and I can't be sure of accuracy.

Listing #19: Executive Waterfront on 1.14 acre

Listed Feb 8 2011 by Companies C & D for $784,900 and sold 25 Feb 2011 for $685,000 by Companies C & D.

Looks like it sold in under 2 weeks for 87% of asking price.

The bigger picture: This property was listed May 30, 2010 by Companies C & D for $784,900 but expired. So it’s more likely that it sold in 9 months for 87% of asking price.

This all started as one of my usual “number crunching” exercises and then... well... things got interesting.

First off, I did a search on our data system: sold residential properties, search dates from Jan 1, 2011 to April 24, 2011. The search came back some 95 properties.

& so began my research.

It’s no wonder that MLS data is skewed. If you just looked at the results of the search, the statistics look so very good...

but if you look below the surface, you get the real story.

Unfortunately, there is no way of knowing if the original price shown had been the result of price drops during the term listing- that’s not recorded by our system... and sometimes, some companies don't list the expiry date...

& although it is hard to say what the information tells us... I’ll lay what I can out as best as I can and give you my impressions...

I do not intend to make any inference with regard to the Companies or sales representatives involved... I am simply looking at what statistics can suggest...

In order to make things comfortable, I will only provide the data for a few of the properties each day for the next little while. That will be easier on the reader... and I won't have to come up with new ideas for my blog for a while... so, it's a win-win... and that's the way I like things!

(please note: I am going to label listings and sales with company X or D or whatever... they don't stand for any particular brokerage, this is simply to alert the reader to changes in company representation)

Listing #1: a single family home on about 31 acres

Listed: January 14, 2011 with Company A Sold: April 9, 2011 asking $159,900 sold by Company A for $140,000

looks like it took about 3 months to sell... and went for about 87.5% of asking price... but

The rest of the story: listed July 29/04 and expired Oct 31/04 $164,900 with Company X, listed June 13/05 for $159,000 and sold Oct 14/2005 for $150,000 with Company X, listed Feb 12/07 and expired Oct 12/07 $189,900 with Realtor Y, listed Feb 8/08 with Company L at $199,900 and cancelled, listed Jan 7/10 and expired Jan 30/10 $195,000 with Realtor A.

So... it had been purchased in 2005 for $150,000 after being on the market for about a year and a half.... then, it sold again, in 2011 for $140,000 and it had been exposed to market in ’07,’08 and then more recently in January ’10. Note: The listing in 2010 mentions that all offers should be conditional on a mutual release from a previous offer. Ultimately, the market value dropped $10,000 between 2005 and 2011... and it really took longer than 3 months to accomplish the sale

Listing #2: an alternative style single family home on 100 acres (being sold by financial institution)

Listed Jan 20/11 for $197,900 Sold Feb 26/11 for $183,000 “as is” by Company C

Appears to have sold in just over a month for a bit more than 92% of asking price.

The rest of the story: listed 3 Nov 2000 for $139,900 and cancelled by Company D, listed 15 May 2001 at $139,900 and sold 17 October 2001 for $120,000 by Company D. Listed 29 August 2006 for $284,900 expired, listed August 13, 2007 with an out-of-town Company at $299,000 and expired. Note: the property in 2011 was in serious disrepair, possibly a prior grow-op situation. One would think that there had been some major work done between October 2001 and 2006, but there wasn't. The lenders were out-of-town... and there was something odd going on.

Listing #3: a single family home on 126 acres

Listed 19 August 2010 with Company A for $239,000 and sold Feb 17, 2011 for $220,000 by Company A.

Seems to have been on the market about 6 months and sold for 92% of asking price. In this case, it would appear that the property was listed at an appropriate price in order to attract a sale within 6 months.

The rest of the story: This property was listed May 28, 2004 by Company E for $169,900 and sold May 26, 2004 for $161,000. Between sales, there was some serious renovation/redecoration including a new kitchen. The value increase represents about 35% over 7 years, less whatever was paid for that new kitchen, etc.... so... ummmm... whatever.

Listing #4: a single family home on 100 acres

Listed March 22, 2011 with Company A for $269,900 and sold April 5, 2011 for $253,000 by a Company with another nearby board.

Listed for just a couple of weeks, this property sold for almost 94% of asking price.

The rest of the story: This property was also listed 13 April 2010 with Company A for $297,700 and expired. It ultimately sold a year later for 84% of this original asking price.

Listing #5: Vacant Waterfront Lot 14.47 acres with 840’ of shoreline and boat access

Listed: 27, Sept 2010 for $69,900 with Company B and sold 19 April 2011 for $66,000 by Company B.

7 months to sell for 94% of asking price....

The rest of the story: This one is very confusing.... There was a 7.49 acre lot with 1400 ft of shoreline and seasonal access- listed with the same tax roll # and it was listed May 4, 2004 for $119,900 and sold June 21, 2004 for $106,500 (not with Company B)... so seven years later the property is twice the size but was listed for almost half the money? Something is not right. There would need to be further investigation in order to really understand this transaction.

Listing #6: A waterfront cottage/home on nearly an acre

Listed April 2, 2011 for $280,000 with Company X and sold April 16, 2011 for $263,500 by a Company with a nearby board.

Two weeks to sell... wow... and they got about 94% of asking price.

The rest of the story: listed July 7, 2008 for $309,000 with Company A and expired, listed June 14, 2010 for $288,000 and expired with Company X. So actually, the property took a lot longer to sell... and went for about 91% of their original asking price.

Listing #7: 300 Acres with Bungalow

Listed 22 Feb 11 $289,000 by Company B and sold 22 Feb 11 for $245,000 by Company B

WOWZER... at first glance, it appears that this property sold the same day it was listed for nearly 85% of the asking price.

The rest of the story: listed 4 August 2008 as 248 acres for $219,000 with Company B expired, listed 15 January 2009 as 248 acres for $199,900 and sold 09 April 2009 for $189,000 with Company B. Listed 13 January 11 as 300 acres at $289,000 with Company B then withdrawn. HUH? Looks like this property was exposed to the market for a lot longer than a day... I guess that gave it time to grow. So, ya, we would really need to do more investigation to understand this transaction. You can hardly go by the current sale alone.

Listing #8: Waterfront cottage with seasonal access

Listed 17 Jan 2011 for $379,900 with Company D and sold 11 April 2011 by an out of area Company for $330,000

3 months to sell... and almost 87% of asking price....

The rest of the story: was listed April 28, 2010 for $399,900 with an out of area Company and expired
(possibly the Company that ultimately sold the property.) Still, it took closer to 9 months for this property to sell and it went for 82.5% of the original asking price.

Listing #9: Waterfront home or cottage on 2 acres

Listed 8 Jan 2011 by Company D for $449,900 and sold 13 April 2011 by Company E for $420,000

appears to be about 3 months to sell and 93% of asking price.

The rest of the story: Listed March 23/10 at $517,900 with a Company from a nearby board and expired. Listed June 24, 2010 for $487,500 by same Company and expired... it's a shame that they didn't give that Company the larger price reduction. The property ultimately took 14 months to sell and went for 81% of the original asking price.

It's been a long couple of months. We've been dealing with losing Fabe's dad, Alphie... which has profoundly affected the entire family and our community... maple syrup season was difficult... we really missed him. Perhaps it is the stress, but Fabian has been going through a series of his cluster migraines.

They started when he was 19 and he had them every day for three years. Cluster migraines are nothing like regular migraines. Studies tell us that they are 20 times more painful than childbirth. They can last from 1/2 an hour to several hours. They lead to serious agitation and fear. They have been nicknamed the "suicide headache".

Fabian has tried all of the "so-called" pre-emptive remedies... and went through all kinds of experiments, nothing helps.

This morning, Fabian did a "you tube" search and found a few interesting videos of people with similar problems. If you've never known anyone who had them, it's interesting to check them out. We found it interesting that the sufferers seem to grab the same side of their heads... they complain about their eyes and nose... Fabian says his hair and skin hurt.

Check these out:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fNouKvGCqIM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UzpcPeoPnW0&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LAf_QFmTPkw&feature=related

Clusterhead by J.D. Fletcher

It's very difficult when someone you love goes through cluster headaches. You feel absolutely useless. There is nothing that can relieve the pain. There is no sleep. The disease affects approximately 0.1% of the population, and men are more commonly affected than women.

The pain of cluster headaches is markedly greater than in other headache conditions, including severe migraines; experts have suggested that it may be the most painful condition known to medical science.

There is an organization called OUCH (organization for understanding cluster headaches)...

Some people have said it's like that cold ice cream headache that you sometimes get... only it lasts for three hours without relief!

Attacks usually are severe and unilateral and typically are located at the temple and periorbital region. Some people get stuffy nose... flushing... sick stomach.

There is currently no cure for CH and treatment is hit and miss at best. What works for one sufferer may or may not work for another. Treatments that worked last cycle may not work during the next. Treatments that have not worked in the past, may work during future cycles.

We have a motorcycle trip planned, leaving the 5th of May... Route 66... I haven't started packing... I have a feeling that there may be a delay.

Ontario has a lot to offer when it comes to rural living: mountains, lakes, forests and valleys... but rural Ontario is much more than just a pretty place. It is home to agriculture, forestry, mining, logging and manufacturing... and more than four million people- and a growing number of people want to shed city life and become part of a rural community.

There are real benefits to living in the country, but it is important to understand the challenges you may have not thought about.

The Ontario Federation of Agriculture website says “Life in the country is frequently romanticized, not only by real estate agents, but by people considering a move to the country.” Well, I don't personally romanticize country life... but I see a lot of clients/customers who do... and while many stay, some don't. The funny thing is, it's usually the ones that didn't think they'd like it, who stay.

So, yeah, I'd have to say that country life is somewhat romanticized... Rural living can offer many people an ideal way of life. Some however, may prefer the hustle and bustle of city life. Everyone is different and you may not know which will suit you until you have lived there a while.

People arrive in rural and small town Ontario via a number of different paths- predominantly, it's folks who want a quieter pace of life and people who enjoy nature. Basically, the people in rural communities enjoy a less concentrated, less congested setting. 20% of Canadians live rurally- and of these, only 2% live on farms.

The good news is that in spite of what many people are nervous about: overall health indicators show few differences between rural dwellers and city dwellers. Studies indicate that rural residents seem less susceptible to ischemic heart disease, breast cancer, non food allergies, asthma and back pain.

Women’s fertility is higher in rural areas.

There is more of a sense of community in rural areas.

People who move to rural Ontario find communities that instantly reach out to them. Socially diverse and active, rural communities offer endless opportunities to get involved. The lower cost of rural living, complete with a full array of social and economic amenities, form an inviting lifestyle alternative to big city living. Wide open spaces, fresh air and healthy living are seen as some of the major benefits of country life. With plenty of natural resources, culture and recreational opportunities, rural living is both rich and rewarding.

You are offered the space you need to contemplate ideas and commune with nature... but let's make no mistake here.... living in rural Ontario can be challenging.

Living in the boonies, you have a far way to go to connect with neighbors... and you might have a farther distance than most to find simple services such as a grocery store, doctor or a gas station. This can be stressful in an emergency and just plain frustrating in everyday life. People who live in the country nowadays are actually more hooked on automobiles than those who live in the city, since there are long miles of highway between one's home and other destinations such as shops or a job.

Unemployment rates are much higher in rural areas... there are greater percentages of low-income earners in rural areas. Employment conditions, incomes, and education levels are all far better in urban areas. Mortality due to motor vehicle traffic accidents is three times higher in the country than in the city, and the rate of death by suicide (particularly in men) is higher in the country, too.

Smoking rates are higher in rural areas, stomach and lung cancer, are also more prevalent. Believe it or not, the regular use of alcohol is more common in urban areas. Overweight and leisure-time sedentarity are more prevalent in rural areas.

Residents of rural communities are more likely to have a family physician than residents of cities, however, rural residents are also less inclined to consult physicians (both general practitioners and specialists), and even less likely to use the services of dentists and orthodontists

Many rural citizens are living either on pensions or on welfare, or something similar. Teen parents are more common in rural settings. A provincial study in 2004 (Small, Rural and Remote Communities: The Anatomy of Risk) says “The study's bottom line: "Most communities in the periphery cannot be self-sustaining, economically, socially or fiscally," making the fate of their residents one of welfare dependency.” Most people under retirement age, struggle with seasonal employment as many businesses close down during the winter. The main industry is frequently "tourism," which is sometimes quite a struggle.

Much of rural Ontario is accessed by gravel roads which are maintained and repaired as timely as possible, but there are times when travel becomes difficult. Winter snow fall can sometimes make it virtually impossible to travel, rains can cause gravel roads to become slippery and develop washboards. A 4x4 vehicle is strongly recommended if you are living in hilly areas and you must learn to give yourself ample time to travel during unfavourable weather. Remember, regular travel on gravel roads may result in increased vehicle maintenances costs.

High speed wireless internet service is not available in many areas in the county unless you get a "hub" or satellite service. Fewer and fewer areas rely on dial-up, but some still do. Electricity, propane, cable/satellite and telephone services may be provided by private companies and service calls may take longer than in urban areas.

If you have young children, you will need to make sure that your property is on the school run, or can be incorporated into it. You will also want to know what time the bus will collect and return your children- you need to be sure your children can cope with the travel time.

Severe snowstorms or heavy snowfall can cause roads to become impassable. Crews will be out in full force, but that does not mean your front door to the nearest highway will be snow-free in a matter of hours. During the winter months, make sure you are well stocked with supplies such as food, water, wood, and/or propane. Water from the spring melt and summer storms can sometimes pool or cause flooding before finding natural drainage courses. Local conservation authorities can also provide valuable information about water flow patterns at times of flooding. There may be potential flooding of homes and other rural buildings when snow melts or heavy rainfall occurs.

Wildlife is wonderful but can also cause accidents- you need to be particularly observant at dawn and dusk on country roads. In Ontario, you are most likely to encounter raccoons, porcupines, skunks, foxes, deer, squirrels and rabbits. There will also be an abundance of birds. Raccoons, although quite cute can be a nuisance. They raid bird feeders, often destroying them in the process. They may take up living in attic spaces and old sheds. They can damage property and can present a health hazard if they carry diseases such as rabies. Remember, most animals can be aggressive, particularly females with young.

Bugs are more abundant in rural areas. Blackfly season lasts about 2-3 weeks... and you really do get used to it. An electric fan on the porch does wonders! The little creeps don't fly well in the wind.

Even well forested properties require maintenance. Wind storms and lightening can bring down big trees that block roads, trails and paths. When you move to the country, you need to be prepared to trim back the foliage, too.

Seeing deer roaming in your yard can be quite magical, but they may like to eat your shrubs, trees or plants and shrubs and their hooves can do lots of damage to your lawn. Mice are pretty active all year round and will find nice warm places to live and raise their young. To make sure your property is “critter-free” you should make sure all holes and joints in the building are sealed. Animals and birds will sneak into the smallest of places.

Livestock– and I mean everything from pigs to cows and horses– the critters that live on farms can be unpredictable... they may charge at you, without warning. You should never approach them, unless invited by the farmer. You must keep in mind, the countryside may appear to be “wide open spaces,” but in reality there are laws that prohibit people, without permission, from trespassing on farmland or any other privately-owned land. Farmers are not required to post "private property" signs- although sometimes, you will see a tree with a big red dot painted on it... & that is another way of saying keep out!

Farmers often find it necessary to take precautions to protect their birds and animals from predators be they coyotes, wolves or domestic dogs. Pet dogs and cats should not be allowed to run at large in the country. If they do, they may end up in a trap or the victim of a bullet if found chasing or threatening farm animals. Mismanaged garbage disposal around a rural residence can be interpreted as an invitation to skunks, black bear, deer and other wildlife to stop by for a meal. Each of these animals, and a host of others, can pose a threat to humans and their pets if they are given this invitation.

Although the idea of looking out of your window to see horses and cows grazing in the adjacent field may sound appealing, there are things to consider when living next to a farm or farms. Animals smell, it is a fact that if you have a barn or field of wild stock nearby you will notice it. There is the smell of the animal itself and also the smell from manure- you need to be prepared for this, if your property is close to farmland. Farming can be noisy at any time of day or night. During planting and harvesting time; farmers may work 24/7 using noisy machinery. Not to mention the noise the animals may make.

Farms can be dirty places because of dust. Many rural roads are nothing more than dirt tracks and in dry weather they can get very dusty. This is compounded when you have machinery in fields throwing up even more dust. Also when tractors and other farm machinery exit farm land and travel on the local roads, they stir up the dust as well as leaving large amounts of mud and other debris in the road. You must not forget that living near a farm, may mean that chemicals and pesticides are being used. If you are sensitive, you need to find out if neighbouring farms are organic or not.

Some rural roads will not be maintained. If this is the case, you need to have your own plough or contract someone to do it for you. Often, rural roads that do have snow-ploughing service have to wait a little longer than town roads to be cleared. Some rural roads will get used (legally or not) for the use of all-terrain-vehicles (ATV’s) or snowmobiles in the winter, which can be very noisy and annoying and some properties are bordered by the recreational trail, too.

Power outages are more frequent in rural locations than in towns or cities. While service is usually restored fairly quickly, you might want to invest in a generator for longer periods of electricity loss. There are many different types and sizes of generators ranging in price from a few hundred dollars to several thousand. You will have to decide if you simply want to keep the essentials going or have the whole place run as normal. Many rural dwellers live without a generator for back up.

Around here, we do not have access to natural gas, so many people heat with wood, propane or oil because it usually costs less than electricity. More and more people are exploring solar, wind and other alternatives, too. In some areas, electricity is not available and living "off the grid" is the norm.

Most rural property is serviced by well for water supply and septic systems for sewage. You need to know a little bit about these systems. Oh, there's a long list of stuff... that's why a good Realtor(c) is so important!

Studies report that Canadians feel vacation deprived. We have busy, stressful lives and most of us crave some quiet time for relaxation and renewal. Cottage ownership is up and there are more people attracted to the market than ever before.

Cottage life used to be somewhat rugged or rustic. Upscale cottages might have had a small black and white television in the corner... or a telephone and it wasn't unusual to see spiders or evidence of mice. Many had outdoor bathroom facilities.

Today's consumer is very particular. These days, buyers want a cottage that echoes the feel of an all-inclusive resort. They are put off by your auntie's old chesterfield and those hand-me-down beds. They want pristine, absolute cleanliness, gourmet kitchens and high speed internet.

Vacationers are becoming more sophisticated. They are comfortable with small spaces- but only if they live large. Today's buyers seek boutique style & they really want high-quality presentation, preferred locations and marketable properties that can be acquired below market value.

While nature-based, outdoor activities are part of the equation, today's cottager wants their "place" to reflect their respect for the environment and resonate with rustic charm, while offering superior modern amenities. They ask about four piece baths (preferably more than one), indoor & outdoor hot tubs, swimming pools, central air conditioning, dining rooms, larger kitchens, games rooms, groomed walking trails, satellite television, wood-burning fireplaces and integrated tech spaces.

Kitchens are expected to have bread makers, microwaves, quality coffee makers, blenders, juicers and ice-cream makers. Buyers today want more than one outdoor space. There should be a deck (complete with state-of-the-art barbecue) and a cabana or pergola or cabana-like space for comfortable, shaded lounging. Today's buyers are interested in handcrafted wooden furniture, comfortable king or queen-sized beds, and screened porches overlooking the water.

Bedrooms must be inn-like and exceptionally clean looking.

Organic floor coverings are preferred. Glossy finishes on wood floors are the best and even better if the floors have a bit of a vintage feel, being somewhat distressed. Muted tones of travertine is alright, too. All doors should be solid and well-fitted. Cabinetry should be modern, with clean lines and finishes. Plain, vintage-style metal, ceramic or glass knobs on cabinets and doors complete the look.

Interior colours should be neutral and natural. This year, touches of bold pink honeysuckle are the rage- with simple, minimalist decor. Colour blocking and bold feature walls are in.

High ceilings, beamed ceilings or bright ceilings are a must.

The exterior of the cottage should look organic... and should be eco-friendly and maintenance free. Windows should be abundant, new, high-quality and lockable.

Today's buyer doesn't want to see piers... slab on grade works, basements are better- especially finished, walk-out lower levels. Roofs should have the proper pitch that doesn't require shovelling and a tastefully muted colour of metal is preferred.

Mixed shorelines- of rock and sand are okay. Some buyers prefer just rock or just sand. Weeds are not okay. Clean, clear water is required- and there can be no mushy stuff under foot. Level lots are preferred- a gentle slope is sometimes acceptable. A view is important- some nice little, treed, unoccupied islands and western exposure is best. Easy, year round (township maintained) road access and lots of parking is a must- however one shouldn't have to hear or see the road or vehicles.

Garages, bunkies and boat houses should complement the main cottage. They should blend into the landscape and be maintenance free. Any landscaping should appear to be natural, uncontrived and organic in flavour. The satellite dish should be discreetly hidden. Everything should look like it belongs in the setting and garbage pickup is preferred.

They want a good, solid dock and a speedboat to go tubing, touring or water-skiing. They want a kayak &/or canoe. They'd like to be close to the local cliff-jumping spot.

The lot should be totally private and they don't want to be bothered by others, playing on the lake. There should be a very quaint store or town nearby. The sort of place where you can browse for treasures or rare deals in antiques.

& a shop with an excellent selection of organic foods and treats.

This year, the town of Maynooth, Ontario, celebrates the 150th anniversary of the opening of its first post office. Beginning April 1st, there will be monthly events, including storytelling, oral history, art shows, photography, art & artefacts, as well as musical entertainment. The events culminate on the actual anniversary, October 1st.

EVERYTHING FITZ

Originally known as “Doyle’s Corners” after Michael Doyle (the first store-keeper), the name was to be changed to Tara but was rejected. Oxenden was selected as the replacement name for the town, but this too was rejected. In the late 1860’s-1870’s the town officially became Maynooth, named after the village in County Kildare, Ireland.

Maynooth, in Kildare, is approximately 25 kms west of Dublin City. Maynooth is a historic spot. It is Má Nuad, the plain of Nuada and associated with the Fitzgeralds. This association began in 1176, Maurice Fitzgerald, head of the family, was granted ‘The Barony of Naas’ by Strongbow. Soon, Maurice Fitzgerald, the Baron of Offaly, began to fortify the spot where a small tributary joins the Lyreen river.

The Fitzgeralds became extremely powerful in the area, and were given the title Earl of Kildare in 1316 by the King of England. Their title was eventually elevated to Duke of Leinster. Thomas FitzGerald, his son, Gearóid Mór, and his grandson, Gearóid Óg, were in turn appointed Lords Deputy of Ireland.

The Lord Deputy ruled Ireland in the name of the King of England from this castle, and was the most powerful man in Ireland, making Maynooth one of the most important medieval sites in Ireland.

The spectacular ruins of Fitzgerald’s Maynooth Castle lie beside St Patrick's College, this huge structure housed generations of the Fitzgerald family, the rulers of Kildare. The great keep had risen before 1200, and in 1248 a chapel is mentioned in the complex of buildings.

When Gearóid Mór FitzGerald died in 1513 he had made provision in his will for the building of a College, bequeathing 491 acres of land for that purpose. His son, Gearóid Óg, Ninth Earl of Kildare, established this College under licence from the Archbishop of Dublin, William Rokeby, dated 6 April 1518. The College of Saint Mary was established near the Castle and the Castle Chapel was rebuilt as the Collegiate Church, in 1521.

St. Patrick's College was built in 1521 in an elegant gothic style and then was closed during the Protestant reformation by reopened in 1795 when the penal laws suppressing Catholicism were finally relaxed. The College was founded because in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries it had not been possible to educate Catholic priests in Ireland.

The institution was built on a site previously founded as a college by the earl of Kildare, in the 16th century. Since then, Maynooth has developed into the largest Roman Catholic seminary in the British Isles and is now part of the National University of Ireland.

In 1535, Henry VIII called Gearóid Óg to London by Henry VIII who was uncomfortable with the Fitzgerald hold on Ireland. Enemies of the FitzGeralds quickly spread false rumours that he had been executed by Henry, hoping to inspire Og’s son, Silken Thomas, to revolt. The plan was successful and at the beginning of the insurrection his followers murdered the Archbishop of Dublin.

Maynooth Castle fell to the English forces during one of the first occasions on which artillery was used in Ireland. Twenty-five of the defenders were executed on the spot before the present gateway of the Castle. After the attack, Silken Thomas FitzGerald was capture and removed to be lodged in the Tower of London with his five uncles. They were executed for treason at Tyburn on 3 February 1537.

The sole survivor, a child half-brother, was spirited abroad into Italy. His restoration began in 1552 and he was the founder of a line that was content with the new pattern of court nobility. Since then, the Castle has been expanded and restored many times.

After the attack on the site in the 1640s, the FitzGeralds left Maynooth Castle and were never to live there again. They lived at Kilkea Castle, an outpost of Maynooth, for some time before eventually settling at Carton Estate, their home until the 20th century. The FitzGeralds also built Leinster House, now the seat of the Dáil, as their town house in Dublin.

The Carton Estate consists of 1100 acres, surrounded by a five-mile wall and remained in the Fitzgerald family until 1949. Carton has now been re-furbished as a hotel, while the grounds are occupied by two of the finest golf courses in Ireland. One of the interesting houses hidden away in the grounds is the shell cottage, so named because the walls of one of its rooms are completely covered with seashells.

A significant restoration was undertaken by Richard Boyle, first Earl of Cork, in 1630-35, after his daughter had married George FitzGerald, his ward. In 1635 the united arms of the Boyles and FitzGeralds were placed over the main gate.

The Fitzgerald family crest is quite unique, in that it features monkeys on each side of the coat of arms. The monkeys are said to have been incorporated into the Fitzgerald crest in the time of John FitzThomas, the 1st Earl of Kildare. As an infant, he was sleeping in a bedchamber at Woodstock Castle, an outpost of Maynooth near Athy, when a fire broke out. In the confusion of the fire, the infant was thought to have perished in the fire.

However, it was discovered that an ape, normally kept in chains as a pet, had broken free and had rescued the baby, keeping him safe in one of the towers. Out of gratitude to the animal, the Fitzgeralds incorporated monkeys into their family crest and adopted the family motto of ‘Non Immemor Beneficii’ (‘Not Forgetful of Favours’).

The Ontario village of Maynooth is home to descendants of the Fitzgeralds. Everything Fitz is a family band featuring high-energy fiddling and percussive step dancing. Julie, Kerry, and Tom are all champion fiddlers who play intricate 3-part fiddle harmonies as well as solo improvisations on fiddle and mandolin. Additional instrumentation includes Pat on percussion, along with parents Pam and Paddy providing accompaniment on piano and bass guitar.

Always an audience favourite are the award-winning step dancing routines performed by all four siblings.

The Merry Micks are another of this family’s talented and entertaining groups. Consisting of Paddy Fitzgerald (and his wife Pam), Catherine Rull (nee Fitzgerald), Tony Fitzgerald (wife Julie) and Gloria Leveque (a relation as well) and sometimes featuring children, Greg, Tom, Kerry, Julie and Pat. The group has performed for the Maynooth Celtic Festival, St. Patrick's Day parties, local fairs and church functions. They feature instrumentation ranging from fiddles, guitars, drums, mandolins, accordions, flutes and rattles. Their voices are strong and well-blended, their songs are traditionally Irish and folk-based. Between songs, the group keeps the audience laughing with jokes and stories of their heritage.

Fabian (my partner) descends from the same Fitzgerald branch, on his mother’s side. *

Regular readers of my blog will appreciate that I have a great interest in history and genealogy. & I'm excited that I currently represent the seller of a historic home, located in Maynooth, Ontario.

Somewhere around 1867, John McAlpine married his first wife, Bridget Ellen Moran. Five years after their marriage and just three days after the birth of their fourth son, Patrick, Bridget passed away. Unable to cope with four infants, John was assisted by his dear neighbours and close friends- Pat Fitzgerald* and his wife Elizabeth (nee Leveque). About two years later on June 27th, 1874, John married Ann Ward and she became mother to John’s four children and later they had twelve more.

Around 1907-08, Ann and John built a handsome, 10-room, frame house close to Maynooth Station, to accommodate business men and labourers brought there by the newly established railway service. John died in 1917 and for many years after, the business was operated by his daughters Elizabeth, Annie and Bridget. They continued to grow their own vegetables on the property. John’s wife, Ann stayed there until her death on March 6th in 1930 and daughter Annie continued on, until her death on the 17th of May in 1970.

In the early days of operation, the boarding house was also a place of commerce. Using a large room with shelves and counters, travellers would display their wares and the merchants would travel from miles around and order from these samples.

*Marie Eve Yantha (nee Fitzgerald) is the gr-gr-neice of Patrick Fitzgerald & Elizabeth Leveque.

In the 1970s, the house was purchased by Don Mosielski and his wife Elizabeth who renamed it the “Silver Owl”. Don was an architectural consultant and he converted the second floor to a self-contained apartment while preserving the Victorian integrity of the home. The Mosielski’s operated a jewellery shop and studio on the lower level of the house.

In the 80s, Gladys Ivany and her sister Barb Layland operated an interior design and upholstery business in the house and later, Gladys and her husband George, made the house their home for almost 20 years. The most recent owner has operated a bed & breakfast and gallery from the property but finds it is time to move on.

The beautifully-maintained “McAlpine House” exudes the elegance of country Victorian splendour. Treasures, such as the original woodwork and tin ceilings have been lovingly preserved. An impressive 3000 sq ft, the house is nestled on nicely landscaped gardens with a fairy-tale arched bridge and pond that lead to the gazebo. At the far edge of the property, sits the McAlpine’s original 28’ X 32’ barn, in its glory.

Maynooth is an amazing little town, it has a thriving arts community and a well-developed business association led by Joey Shulman a former Toronto theatre publicist. Shulman moved from Toronto to the Banff School of Arts for three years (with his partner, Barry Siegrist) before moving to Maynooth in 1988. They operate the successful Wildewood Bed & Breakfast (so named in honour of Oscar Wilde). Both are very active with events throughout many sectors of the community.

Currently, Shulman is directing "Fiddler On The Roof", a musical production scheduled for April 7th-10th and 14-17 at the new Town Hall. The performances will benefit the Canadian Cancer Society as well as six local charities (HART, Hospice House, Community Cares North Hastings, the ANAF, and Maggie's Womens Resource Centre).

This photo of Maynooth is courtesy of TripAdvisor (Maynooth Farmers Market)

The business association is also very involved with the Maynooth Loggers Games (formerly known as Maynooth Madness)which is slated for the Labour Day weekend and is spin off from the historic and well-known Maynooth Autumn fair. Festivities include the 7th annual mud-run, parade, rummage & craft sale, fall fair and many fun events, including chair carving and cross cut sawing.

Maynooth has an annual Santa Claus Parade, a local farmer's market and other regular activities that exemplify an exciting and active community! There are plans to refurbish the old Maynooth Station Railway building, located in a field adjacent to the McAlpine House.

Located about a mile outside the main business district, Maynooth Station is a place steeped in history and McAlpine House is nestled in its quiet serenity. There are so many possibilities for this special property. It is beautifully situated close to Algonquin Park and centrally located, in cottage country, between Ottawa and Toronto.

A letter to yourself, tell yourself EVERYTHING you love about yourself ”

ACK!

Dear Jody,

There are endless things that I could say...

then, you already know.

Love Jody

P.S.

I'm happy to see the end of this 30 day challenge

Something you hope to change about yourself. And why.

Hmmmmm...

Hmmmmm.......

Anyone who knows me, knows that I am having a bad hair life...

I've tried every colour, every style, sometimes simultaneously! I found someone with a good hair gene, before I reproduced... hoping my offspring would inherit better locks... fortunately, that part of the bond was successful...

still, it would be nice if I could figure it out and change my hair issues... and, ya, I'd like to get into better shape, physically... oh, I could list a million (or more) reasons that it is what it is... however, I deal with chronic pain and I'm sure there would be some relief if I got into better shape...

Now, if we are talking real estate... lots of people have told me that I need to learn to be more brutal... after all, it is a "cut throat" business...

I think there are times that I need to be more "thick skinned"... I have to admit that I don't like being *crapped on*... and that does happen, in the real estate biz...

I could say that I'd like to be more adventurous... but that really isn't true... any more adventurous and I could get into trouble! Perhaps it would be more true if I said that I want to have MORE adventures...

ah ha! Now I have it... the thing I'd like to change, that is...

I want to recognize every achievement and practice small celebrations, more often...

*smile*

I adore small ceremonies!

What if you were pregnant or got someone pregnant, what would you do?

Okay, this challenge has gone too far. I mean, I can't begin to tell you the thoughts that whirl through my mind... however, I will try.

J.M.Didier

First of all, if my father told me once- he told me a zillion times... you can't live your life on "what ifs". & it's so very true. What if, means that it isn't. So there's nothing to discuss. Until a situation comes along, you really can't say what the ultimate answer will be. Secondly, it's outrageously unlikely that this would ever occur. Nuff said.

However, I can tell you that I was told by some very reputable doctors that I would not be able to have children. It had to do with going undiagnosed with thyroid disease for too long... among other things. Also, my husband was told that he was not going to reproduce... fertility issues. So, when I did find myself pregnant (at 33 which was old in those days), I was totally unprepared. & what did I do?

After throwing up... I rejoiced... and welcomed my precious angel baby... she was truly a gift.

What’s the best thing going for you right now?

I don't know... maybe it's true, maybe I do think too much. I mean, I read this topic and I thought... that doesn't really make sense. Is it supposed to be what's going the best for you? Is it supposed to be what's going well for you? What do you think is the best thing going?

I can only answer to the best of my ability... and that's not the best thing going right now... well, I mean, it's not bad...

ACK!

okay, anyway... the best thing going is all the people that I love and care about... my daughter is doing well at university and she seems to like it... she has a nice boyfriend... she isn't any trouble... she's kind and thoughtful and sweet and beautiful and intelligent and mature... and... and... and.... it's all good...

all is well in my relationship with my partner...

I have a great family... good friends... wonderful clients... I work with nice people... I love my dog... and my friend's pets...

Have you ever thought about giving up on life? If so, when and why?

I suppose I have had fleeting thoughts... during some very, very dark moments. & I’ve had my share of those.

More than.

I’ve survived abuse, nasty divorces, injustice... and other stuff... some horrific illness and accidents, too...

Probably, the closest to the brink, was in 2000... 2001... when I was dealing with mild traumatic brain injury and didn’t know it... it didn’t get a whole lot better once I figured it out, either...

I can't express the devastation... how frightening it is to realize that you don't recognize everyday objects... that you can't count... can't read... can't tie your shoe laces... don't know which comes first- shoes or socks... don't know which foot which shoe works on... can't remember anything for more than a moment... have no long-term recall.... feel dizzy and confused... and can't articulate...

I saw more doctors than you can count... I have a box or two full of records and documentation... I experienced a lot of pain, a lot of misunderstanding, a lot of nasty ignorant people and a lot of frustration...

it was particularly frustrating because neuro-psychological examinations, post accident, still put me at the 95 percentile... yet I couldn't count out $1.25 for hot-dog-day... or use a telephone... and I was so awfully tired... and had visual issues... the list goes on...

& friends didn't understand (I lost a few)... family had a hard time coping... even my co-workers were difficult about it... I'm not going to go into details... it was ridiculous! I thought I was going to go out of my mind!

Thank goodness for my daughter, Katie... 8 at the time... she taught me everything I know & cheered me up... all the way along!

there are still days that I have pain and discomfort that relate back to that accident... some of the brain damage is permanent- although I have, for the most part, learned to cope with my deficits.

Day 25 The reason you believe you’re still alive today.

Well... obviously, I haven't been paid a visit by the grim reaper, yet...

although, I have been on the edge...

Some days, I feel like I'm still alive, simply because my body isn't totally devastated yet... other times, I feel like I still have a mission or lesson to complete...

I remember, after dad passed away, thinking it would be nice if people came stamped with expiry dates...

although, in retrospect, I'm not sure about that...

In 1786, life expectancy was 24 years. A hundred years later it doubled to 48. Right now, it's 76.

"Over half the baby boomers here in America are going to see their hundredth birthday and beyond in excellent health," says Dr. Ronald Klatz of the American Academy of Anti-Aging. "We're looking at life spans for the baby boomers and the generation after the baby boomers of 120 to 150 years of age."

Scientists are saying that if you're alive in 20 years, you may be able to live forever.

I read somewhere that the Turritopsis nutricula, a species of jellyfish, has figured it all out. This jellyfish has developed a way to change itself from an adult back to the infant (polyp) stage, and back and forth, which in effect allows it to live forever.

almost sounds like a fate worse than death...

I mean, how long would your bucket list have to be???

How much would you have to save for retirement? Would there be retirement? Who would get to decide who gets to retire? My mother can remember a loaf of bread being two-cents... the modern keyboard doesn't even have a cent sign! I suppose if you went looking for some super-confusing code you could come up with one... and now, a loaf of bread? C'mon... I mean you have to have at least two twoonies in your wallet.

And then... what are you buying? Preservatives?

Hmmmmmm

In 1967 (incidentally, one year after Walt Disney’s death- he was cremated, not frozen!), James Bedford became the first person whose body was cryogenically "preserved". Baseball great Ted Williams was the most famous person to be cryogenically preserved. According to the Cryonics Institute, famous people who have publicly expressed an interest in cryogenic preservation have included talk show host Larry King, boxing legend Muhammad Ali, science fiction master Arthur C. Clarke, and National Book Award-winning author Gore Vidal.

According to Alcor, the Life Extension Institute, as of 2002, more than a hundred people had been frozen since James Bedford in 1967. They also claim that 1,000 people worldwide have made financial and legal arrangements with Alcor to be cryogenically preserved. (As of February 28, 2011, Alcor has 932 members and 102 patients). Alcor offers two options (they suggest you purchase life insurance to cover the cost): for whole body preservation you would need a minimum policy of $200,000, and for neuropreservation (just your brain) you would need a minimum policy of $80,000...

When all of a deceased member’s living relatives are gone, continuing payment can be assured upfront through a “Patient Care Trust Fund.” This is a legal and financial investment arrangement with Alcor.

There's also Robert C.W. Ettinger’s Cryonics Institute, it has 718 members, 85 “Human Patients in Cryostasis”, and 52 “Pets in Cryostasis.” On their web site, they also advertise much lower prices than Alcor and other such services.

Reminds me of Woody Allen's "Sleeper"... 1973

EVERYTHING'S ON
FOR TONIGHT ?
YES.


I STILL THINK IT'S TOO SOON
TO BRING HIM UP.
WE HAVE NO CHOICE.

AGON THINKS THEY'RE ONTO US.
I PROGRAMMED THE C.L.C.
FOR TWO HOURS TONIGHT.

THERE'S NO TELLING
WHEN HE'LL BE AVAILABLE AGAIN.
WE'LL HAVE TO MOVE HIM...

IF HE COMES UP SUCCESSFULLY,
OTHERWISE, WE SHOULD BE PREPARED
TO DISPOSE OF HIM THE USUAL WAY.

PLEASE STATE REGISTRATION CODE.
CHECK.

WHERE WAS THE SUBJECT FOUND ?

WE CAME ACROSS IT THE LAST DAY
OF OUR FIELD TRIP INTO THE WOODS
A WEEK AGO.

THE CAPSULE
WAS PERFECTLY INTACT.
IS THERE A DATE ON THE CAPSULE ?

OH, YES. THE SUBJECT
WAS FROZEN IN


WHICH MEANS HE'S BEEN UNDER
FOR YEARS.

[ Machines Beeping ]

- BLOOD PRESSURE.
- OVER .

- ENCEPHALO-ACTIVITY ?
- JUST UNDER NORMAL.

GENERAL LIFE FUNCTIONS...
ACCEPTABLE.

HE SHOULD BE COMING
OUT OF IT ANY MOMENT.


DO WE HAVE ANY INFORMATION
ON HIM ?


JUST THE USUAL DATA CARD
INSIDE THE CAPSULE AND
THE PERSONAL ARTIFACTS HERE.


HMM. THE SUBJECT
WAS YEARS OLD AT TIME
OF INITIAL CRYOGENIC EMERGENT.

HIS NAME... MILES MONROE.
UNDER OCCUPATION IT SAYS
HE WAS PART OWNER...

OF THE HAPPY CARROT HEALTH FOOD
RESTAURANT ON BLEECKER STREET,
WHEREVER THAT WAS.


ALSO A CLARINET PLAYER
WITH SOMETHING CALLED
THE RAGTIME RASCALS.

WAS HIS EMERGENT VOLUNTARY ?

HMM. ACCORDING TO THIS,

"SUBJECT ENTERED HOSPITAL
FOR ROUTINE EXPLORATION
OF MINOR PEPTIC ULCER...

AND COMPLICATIONS SET IN."

THE PATIENT NEVER
REGAINED CONSCIOUSNESS.


HE WAS ADMITTED FOR CRYOGENIC
EMERGENT BY HIS COUSIN,
A MRS. JOAN NEEDLEBAUM.


THE PHYSICAL DAMAGE
WAS REPAIRED.
YEAH. TOTALLY. ROUTINE.

WE'RE GETTING AN INITIAL
MOTOR RESPONSE OVER HERE.

THIS IS THE CRITICAL STAGE NOW.
IF HIS CONSCIOUSNESS ISN'T
HANDLED CAREFULLY,

THERE COULD BE DAMAGING TRAUMA.


REMEMBER, WE'RE DEALING
WITH AN INVOLUNTARY SUBJECT
WHO EXPECTS TO BE WAKING UP...

IN ST. VINCENT'S HOSPITAL
IN GREENWICH VILLAGE IN .

SWALLOW REFLEX IS ALMOST THERE.

[ Mutters ]

WE'VE GOT TO GET HIM OUT
OF HERE.
HE'S NOT READY.


WE'VE GOT TO GET HIM AMBULATORY
WHETHER HE'S READY OR NOT.

[ Grunts ]
CAREFUL, CAREFUL.
CAREFUL !

[ Chattering ]
NOW, JUST KEEP HIM
ON HIS FEET.

WE'VE GOT TO DISPOSE
OF THIS CAPSULE.

WHEN HE'S READY,
GET HIM TO THE FARM.
WE'LL MEET THERE TONIGHT.

YES.
THERE WE GO !

NOW, LET'S TRY TO TAKE A STEP.
LIKE THIS. ONE.


UP IT COMES. TAKE A STEP.
LOOK AT ME. UP, DOWN.

THAT'S IT.
THERE YOU ARE.

GOOD.
VERY GOOD, MR. MONROE !
GOOD, GOOD.

UP, DOWN.
NO, HE'S GOT IT IN REVERSE.


OH, YOU'RE GOING
THE WRONG WAY.
MR. MONROE !

NO, THE OTHER WAY !
THERE WE GO.
WHOA !

[ Alarm Sounding ]
SECURITY IS COMING !

OH, MR. MONROE !
PLEASE, MR. MONROE, WAKE UP !

This, also, brought up the concept of CLONING....

TEN MONTHS AGO,
OUR LEADER SUFFERED
A HORRIBLE ACCIDENT...


WHEN A BOMB, PLANTED
IN HIS HOME BY MEMBERS
OF THE UNDERGROUND, EXPLODED.

NATURALLY,
IT WAS KEPT QUIET.


BUT SINCE THEN,
WE HAVE VIRTUALLY BEEN
A LEADERLESS SOCIETY.

UNFORTUNATELY,
PREPARATIONS FOR A SUCCESSOR...

HAVE NEVER BEEN
ADEQUATELY CLEAR.

IN SHORT, WE HAVE
BEEN IN THE THROES
OF A MAJOR CRISIS.


AS FOR OUR LEADER,

THE EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT
RUSHED TO THE SCENE
OF THE ACCIDENT IMMEDIATELY,

BUT ALL THAT REMAINED
OF HIM WAS THIS.

THIS IS OUR LEADER'S NOSE.


USING GREAT PRESENCE OF MIND,


WE RUSHED THE NOSE
TO OUR CLOSEST DELTA LABORATORY
WHICH IS HERE...

WHERE, THROUGH MASSIVE
BIOCHEMICAL EFFORT,

IT HAS BEEN KEPT ALIVE
FOR NEARLY A YEAR.

OUR DREAM HAS BEEN
THAT BY CLONING,


WE WOULD REDUPLICATE
THE ENTIRE LEADER AGAIN.


CLONING, FOR THOSE OF YOU
UNFAMILIAR WITH BIOLOGY,


IS A PROCESS BY WHICH
USING ONE SINGLE CELL,

A DUPLICATE OF THE PERSON
IT CAME FROM COULD BE FORMED.


TILL NOW WE'VE ONLY HAD
LIMITED EXPERIMENTAL SUCCESS.

BUT ALL EFFORTS
HAVE BEEN DIRECTED TO CLONING
OVER THE PAST TEN MONTHS.

AND NOW WE FEEL CONFIDENT
WE CAN REPRODUCE OUR LEADER...


IN PERFECT TACT
FROM HIS NOSE.


GENTLEMEN, WITH GOD'S HELP,
IN A COUPLE OF HOURS,


WE WILL HAVE
OUR LEADER BACK.

NOT SO FAST!

In 1997, Dolly, the first mammal cloned from an adult body cell, came into the world as innocent as a lamb; but caused panic and controversy, as well as a vast literature on the ethics and regulation of cloning.

One of the major concerns raised by cloning is that it could lead to eugenic practices.

GULP

I guess the truth is that I just don't like the idea of messing with nature.

OOPS... I almost rambled on

Day 24 Make a playlist, and explain why you chose all the songs. (Just post the titles and artists and letter)

The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face
Artist (Band): Roberta Flack

Baby I Love Your Way
Artist (Band): Peter Frampton

Colour My World
Artist (Band): Chicago

Groovy Kind of Love
Artist (Band): Phil Collins

I Just Called To Say I Love You
Artist (Band): Stevie Wonder

Never My Love
Artist (Band): The Fifth Dimension

At Last
Artist (Band): Etta James

The Keeper of The Stars
Artist (Band): Tracy Byrd

In My Life
Artist (Band): The Beatles

What a Wonderful World
Artist (Band): Louis Armstrong

Dear Fabian,

At the risk of being seen as schmaltzy, I have prepared a "Play List" of songs for you. As you know, I am a poet... so I see it more as taking license.

Lyrically, these song selections express the way I feel about you.

Love,

Jody

Something you wish you had done in your life.

For the most part, I believe that there's still time to accomplish a lot...

Although, I wish I had spent more time with some of the people who are gone.

Something you wish you hadn’t done in your life.

I would rather regret the things that I have done than the things that I have not~ Lucille Ball

A man is not old until his regrets take the place of his dreams~ Yiddish Proverb

I have often regretted my speech, never my silence. - Maxims

Oh my... I have often thought it would be nice to have a "rewind" button in real life... however, generally it is when I have poorly communicated and have been misunderstood. Oh well.

I almost wish I hadn't started on this blog challenge... however, I choose not to wallow in negativity, therefore, I don't allow myself to regret. Regret is like guilt, if you choose to acknowledge it, it's like a gift that just keeps giving. I guess I prefer to practice forgiving. Best to move forward, I think.

Day 21 (scenario) Your best friend is in a car accident and you two got into a fight an hour before. What do you do?

First of all... I don't generally "fight" with my friends... however, if there was any type of disagreement, I would let go of it... and I would go directly to the hospital!

This blog challenge is getting kind of silly, if you ask me...

still... I started it... and so, I shall finish it.

Your views on drugs and alcohol.

Okay... I have to take certain prescription drugs, for instance, thyroxine... yup, my thyroid has been out of whack for most of my life... and if it wasn't for this medication, I wouldn't be breathing...

and I have been known to have a drink, now and then

however, I have always been responsible... I've never approved of drinking and driving...

and I've tried to avoid resorting to pharmaceuticals...

I do believe that the pharmaceutical industry has a lot to answer for

and I really don't like to think about the revenues of organized criminals... or the tactics...

and I don't care for the behaviour of "drinkers"

but what scares me the most... are drugs being cooked up in people's homes... and the toxic affect that they have on society... people using crack and other home-made concoctions are selling their own children... it's horrifying!

it's very sad

Day 19 What do you think of religion? Or what do you think of politics?

Well... well... well...

You may notice that I haven't been keeping up to date on this blog of truth... it's been a wild month. My father-in-law passed away... and we closed the ski hill... it's been a month of religion and politics...

and what do I think of them? All I know is there has been a lot of sadness on account of them, both.

Remembering Alphonse Yantha

Alphonse August Yantha, affectionately known as “Alphie” was born July 31st, 1935 in Radcliffe Township. The grandson of John Yantha (1865-1897) and Lucy Anne Aron (1865-1917) and son of John J Yantha (1888-1978) and his 3rd wife, Teckla Norlock (1901-1982), Alphie lived most of his life in Combermere.

Alphie’s father, a farmer on Dafoe Rd, was first married to Catherine Recoski; together they had Ambrose, Anna Marianne and Eleanor. After Catherine’s death, John married Anastasia Kazaboski, with whom he had daughter, Julie. In 1921, he married Teckla Norlock and their children were Agatha, Elzeard, Esther, Alec, Leonarda and Alphonse.

Teckla gathered all of the children, as they had been placed in the care of other families. There would be no talk of “half” or “step” siblings. Alphie carried this sentiment throughout his life and, as one family member recently said, he made the “misfits feel like originals.”

Fiercely protective of family, years ago, a teenaged Alphie came home to find his mother recovering from a bout with the family bull. Taking it by the horns, Alphie twisted it to the ground and would likely have killed it, had he not been stopped by his mother.

After completing grade 6, Alphie was off to work in the bush with a team of horses and later, as a young man, he was employed by the township. A frequent sight in his 1956 “heat green” and “Alaskan white” Monarch, Alphie could be heard coming, a mile away. This often sent the young girls from the convent hiding, with gales of giggles and shrieks. He caught the attention of one of the local beauties, Marie Eva Fitzgerald, daughter of Barry’s Bay businessman John Edward Fitzgerald (1901-1967) and Valentine Marie Martin (1901-1960). Alphie and Marie married in 1959.

Alphie had built his folks a retirement bungalow, so the newlyweds moved into the family homestead. Soon, though, they moved on to the Belleville area, where Alphie worked as a welder and diesel mechanic for Trudeau Equipment. Here, he was tasked with fitting the first wing onto a V-plough and he had to invent a design and manufacture the parts to do it.

In 1960, Alphie and Marie welcomed baby Valmarie and in 1963, son John. (Baby Alphonse Jr was born with spina bifida and lived only a few days). In 1965, Alphie suffered a bad injury on the job and spent many months in the hospital, in Barrie. His family returned to Combermere and once he was well enough, Alphie joined them and went back to his job with the township. He also kept up the haying and maintained the farm. In 1967, he built a sugar shack. That first year, Alphie and Tommy Serran wore out several brace and bits tapping the trees before introducing the maple syrup now known as “Alphie’s Finest”. That fall, son Fabian was born, in Barry’s Bay.

In 1968, Marie and Alphie inherited the Fitzgerald store, on Stafford Street (Barry’s Bay) spawning Yantha Enterprises. Here, Alphie assembled and repaired many a bicycle. It was trial and error for the first while, as Alphie and Marie learned the furniture and appliance business, however, as Sister Rosenda says, “They made a good team.” and the business flourished.

Alphie could fix just about anything. One time, he surprised a local couple when he visited and repaired their t.v. antenna and they were only too delighted to pay him for his time. Back at the store, he discovered that he had gone to the wrong house and needed to hurry back, to fix the antenna for the customer who had been expecting the house call.

It was 1979 when Alphie took a notion to acquire a Case 580C backhoe and thus began A. Yantha & Sons Backhoe. He soon added “trucking” with the purchase of a single axle dump truck and trailer. Over the next 30+ years, that business evolved into what is known today as Yantha Backhoe and Trucking Ltd.

In 2009, friends, family, neighbours and employees gathered to celebrate Alphie and Marie’s 50th wedding anniversary. When anyone made a joke about the longevity of their union, a serious Alphie would explain, “50 years doesn’t seem like a long time, when you’re having fun.”

Alphonse thought himself an ordinary man, however, those who knew him, knew different. What can one say about a man who did the family’s mending, taught his daughter the art of knitting and spent many hours at war with beavers? Yes, indeed, Alphie firmly believed that the sure way to be rid of a pesky beaver population was to drive them off, by continually harassing them. You might even say that Alphie was more industrious than the busiest beaver.

In 1984, when his hunt camp, woodshed and outhouse burned down, Alphie rebuilt, bigger and better, such was his sense of pride.

Alphie knew every inch of his beloved home town, stopping construction crews from encroaching on a small, previously unmarked pioneer cemetery on the hill. He lovingly worked at restoring the old Yantha homestead and often dreamt of having an old-fashioned family Christmas there. Local auction goers will remember Alphie’s #4 and may, finally, be able to purchase an oil lamp or stone crock.
One of the 11 grandchildren smiles, recalling a visit from Alphie, “he stomped on the floor, knocked on the walls and yanked on the balcony rail, before pronouncing it a good place to live”.

Newest Mayor of the Madawaska Valley Township, David Shulist fondly remembers Alphie as an easy going family man.

"Alphie Yantha was proud to be born and raised in the Madawaska Valley. [He was] very proud of his heritage and loved the great outdoors. He always talked about his family whom he loved with all his heart. Alphie felt he was in heaven when he was in his maple sugar shack and his favourite fiddle tune, of course, Maple Sugar.", Shulist said.

Son Fabian cherishes the old-time stories that Alphie would share and the remarkable work that his father did, restoring old buildings that most others would simply have torn down. A good part of Alphie’s last days were spent organizing a plan and assembling a materials list, for son John, to remodel an old stable to make a suitable home for the horses that will soon be delivered.

It came as a great shock when Alphie passed, peacefully, away- surrounded by family, on Monday March 7th, at the Ottawa Civic Hospital. "He was a good business man and a great asset to the Madawaska Valley. He will be missed.", Mayor Shulist added.

Comforted by the overwhelming support of the community, Marie and family intend to carry forward with Alphie’s many plans, honouring a man of extraordinary character, a generous and loving father, grandfather, uncle, brother, friend, neighbour and devoted husband.

I've been away from my computer... no time to write... I have been busy with Real Estate (in other ways) and the ski hill... and the sudden loss of Fabian's dad.

Your views on gay marriage.

Hmmmmm....

The thing is... some of the most devoted couples that I know are same-sex partners. Most of them are very discreet.

& it's a different world now... my daughter turned 19 yesterday... when she was in grade 3, even the Catholic School Board sent around a notice that said they were now recognizing alternative configurations of the family unit.

A book you’ve read that changed your views on something.

I am an avid reader and I enjoy a wide variety of subjects. Science fiction, poetry, biographies, you name it. I collect books, too... makes moving interesting... between the boxes of books and boxes of rocks... I know I can access books online, but I still like turning pages.

Many books have made an impact on my views... however, there are a couple that I have found myself recommending to others, over the years...

one is "Feel the Fear and Do it Anyway" by Dr. Susan Jeffers

This is an excellent book for anyone who is having a difficult time making a decision or making a change in their life... it's a powerful read... learning how to take away fear and enjoy a more exciting, joyous life...

and then there is "Family Ties that Bind" by Dr. Ronald W. Richardson

Essentially a self-help guide. & it explains about the affects of family relationships, birth order, our parents' relationship, and how we were brought up can affect our self-image and relationships with spouses, children, and other family members.

These books were recommended to me, in the late 80s by a dear friend of the family, Vonda... at a time when I was working through some of my "stuff"... and they helped me to put my thoughts into some semblance of order & gave me the encouragement to see things through.

Someone or something you definitely could live without.

WAR

HATE

CRUELTY

VIOLENCE

ABUSE

HUNGER

TERRORISM

TYRANNY

DISEASE

PAIN

LIES & LIARS

DESTRUCTION

Take your pick.

I wish I had a magic wand to take away all the suffering and unhappiness in the world.

I promise, I'd make good use of it.

Day 15 Something or someone you couldn’t live without, because you’ve tried living without it.

Sleep... oh ya. It's gotta be sleep. Years ago, I was writing a series of poems about some "stuff" and I was so immersed in it that I went without sleep for a while and then, I discovered that the more deprived of sleep, the more I could connect with those old, deep feelings...

I suppose that the truth is that I had already healed for the most part... but writing about it was something that I had to do...

and, since my accident in 2000... my body doesn't generally let me go without sleep... I'm running on about an hour today... but this time, it's because we are in the midst of losing one of the dearest men that I have ever known... and I am needed.

Day 14 A hero that has let you down. (letter)

I am fortunate. I have never been disappointed by any of my heroes.

However, I have yet to come to terms with the death of George Reeves... television's Superman... His death at age 45 from a gunshot was officially deemed suicide, but some still believe he was murdered or the victim of an accidental shooting...

"Superman's Song"
Crash Test Dummies

Tarzan wasn't a ladies' man
He'd just come along and scoop 'em up under his arm
Like that, quick as a cat in the jungle
But Clark Kent, now there was a real gent
He would not be caught sittin' around in no
Junglescape, dumb as an ape doing nothing

[Chorus:]
Superman never made any money
For saving the world from Solomon Grundy
And sometimes I despair the world will never see
Another man like him

Hey Bob, Supe had a straight job
Even though he could have smashed through any bank
In the United States, he had the strength, but he would not
Folks said his family were all dead
Their planet crumbled but Superman, he forced himself
To carry on, forget Krypton, and keep going

Tarzan was king of the jungle and Lord over all the apes
But he could hardly string together four words: "I Tarzan, You Jane."

Sometimes when Supe was stopping crimes
I'll bet that he was tempted to just quit and turn his back
On man, join Tarzan in the forest
But he stayed in the city, and kept on changing clothes
In dirty old phone booths till his work was through
And nothing to do but go on home

A band or artist that has gotten you through some tough *ss days. (write a letter.)

Honestly... I remember wearing out Carole King’s Tapestry Album... and Cat Stevens’ Tea for the Tillerman... which remain on my list of favourites... However, in 1976 the song Dream Weaver was released and...

Dear Mr Wright,
I thank you for a very special recording... listening to your song “Dream Weaver” has helped me through many sad and difficult days...

Dream Weaver

by Gary Wright

I've just closed my eyes again
Climbed aboard the dream weaver train
Driver take away my worries of today
And leave tomorrow behind

Ooooh, dream weaver
I believe you can get me through the night
Ooooh, dream weaver
I believe we can reach the morning light

Fly me high through the starry skies
Maybe to an astral plane
Cross the highways of fantasy
Help me to forget today's pain

Ooooh, dream weaver
I believe you can get me through the night
Ooooh, dream weaver
I believe we can reach the morning light

Though the dawn may be coming soon
There still may be some time
Fly me away to the bright side of the moon
And meet me on the other side

Ooooh, dream weaver
I believe you can get me through the night
Ooooh, dream weaver
I believe we can reach the morning light

Dream weaver
Dream weaver

Something you never get compliments on.

Now, really... #12 here is interesting to me. I haven't noticed when people don't give me compliments. I mean, I'm thinking that if you notice that nobody compliments you, it means you were looking for some sort of compliments... doesn't it? Just saying.

I don't do thing in search of compliments. I do thing because I need to do them or want to do them or can do them or want to learn to do them... not to impress anybody.

I have had people copy me... and I've been told that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery... so in a sense, that would be a compliment that nobody has made directly to me... but that doesn't really fit #12.

That makes me think of the rules that Gibbs has in NCIS....

Gibbs Rules:
To be obeyed at all times. Consequence is a slap to the back of the head.

Thanks to http://www.ncisfanwiki.com/page/NCIS%3A+Gibbs+Rules for the following:

Rule # Rule: Actual Character Quote: Episode(s) Mentioned In:

1- Never let suspects stay together.

Gibbs (to Kate): "Rule number one: Never let suspects stay together." 1.01 Yankee White

1- Never screw (over) your partner.

Gibbs: "Number one supersedes all of the others."
Jenny: "Never screw your partner?"
Gibbs: "Never screw OVER your partner." 4.14 Blowback

2- Always wear gloves at a crime scene.

Gibbs (to Kate): "Rule number two: Always wear gloves at a crime scene." 1.01 Yankee White

3- Don't believe what you're told. Double check.

Gibbs: "Rule number three: Don't believe what you're told, double check."
Kate: "Should I write these rules in my Palm Pilot or crochet them on pillows?" 1.01 Yankee White

3- Never be unreachable.

Ziva (after trying to reach McGee): "Rule number three..."
Tony: "Never be unreachable." 3.13 Deception

4- If you have a secret, the best thing is to keep it to yourself. The second-best is to tell one other person if you must. There is no third best.

Jenny: "It's your fault you know."
Gibbs: "For what, leaving or coming back?"
Jenny: "For teaching me your rules. Best way to keep a secret, keep it to yourself. Second best, tell one other person... if you must. There is no third best. (walking away) That's rule number four isn't it?" 4.14 Blowback

6- Never say you're sorry. It's a sign of weakness.

Gibbs (to Kate): "Never say you're sorry. (laughing) You don't have to crochet that one." 1.01 Yankee White

Tony (to Gibbs): I broke rule #6. Never say you're sorry.Gibbs: It was covered by rule #18. 7.12 Flesh & Blood

7- Always be specific when you lie.

Gibbs (to Kate): "Rule number seven: Always be specific when you lie." 1.23 Reveille

8- Never take anything for granted.

Abby (to McGee): "Rule number eight is gonna save you McGee!"
Tony: "Never date a co-worker? "
Ziva (to Tony): "Never go anywhere without your knife. "
Tony (to Ziva): "Thought that was nine."
Gibbs: "Never take anything for granted."
Abby (to Gibbs): "Correct El Jefe. But then again you did make up the rules." 3.10 Probie

Ziva: "I assume Gibbs would have checked that out last night."
Tony: "Rule number eight: Never assume anything."
Ziva: "To be precise it's, ah, never take anything for granted." 3.17 Ravenous

9- Never go anywhere without a knife.

Gibbs (while handing his knife to Tony): "Rule number nine:"
Gibbs & Kate (in unison): "Never go anywhere without a knife." 1.13 One Shot, One Kill

Tony: "Rule nine."
Atlas: "What?"
Tony: "Ya know those rules they teach you guys in the Marine Corps."
Atlas: "What rules?"
Tony: "Huh, I always suspected the fact that Gibbs was making that stuff up. Well... rule nine is, ah (undoing his belt), never go anywhere (pulling out his knife) without a knife." 1.20 Missing

Abby: Rule #9 'always keep a spare'.
Tony: I thought Gibbs said nine was 'always carry a knife.'
Abby: Not Gibbs' rules...mine. 3.22 Jeopardy

10- Never get personally involved in a case.
Gibbs: You okay?
Tony: Not really. I broke rule number ten. Again. Never get personally involved in a case.
Gibbs: Yeah. That's the rule I've always had the most trouble with. 7.21 Obsession

11- When the job is done, walk away.

Gibbs: "Rule number eleven, DiNozzo."
Tony: "I would never date a co-worker boss. Trust me. I mean, why would you even—that's twelve. Eleven... when the job is done, you walk away." 6.24 Semper Fidelis

12- Never date a coworker.

Kate (to Tony): "Not my style, Tony. I would just shoot you."
Gibbs (just walking in): "That would be the reason for rule number twelve."
Kate: "Rule twelve?"
Gibbs: "Never date a co-worker." 1.15 Enigma

13- Never, ever involve lawyers.

Tony: "Which means you've been here one day and already broken Gibbs' rule number thirteen."
Dwayne: "Rule number thirteen?"
Tony: "Yeah, rule number thirteen: Never, ever involve lawyers. Things are bound to turn nasty." 6.07 Collateral Damage

15- Always work as a team.

Jenny: "I heard your agents are pitted against each other. Wasn't that Gibbs' rule number fifteen? Always work as a team."
Gibbs: "Not on this one." 5.05 Leap of Faith

18- It's better to ask forgiveness than ask permission.

Jenny (to Gibbs): "Number eighteen: It's better to seek forgiveness than ask permission." 3.04 Silver War

22- Never, ever interrupt Gibbs in interrogation.

Tony (to Ziva): "Rule number twenty-two: never, NEVER bother Gibbs in interrogation." 4.10 Smoked

23- Never mess with a Marine's coffee if you want to live.

Kate (to Tony): "Maybe next time you should remember rule... twenty-three..."
Marine (laughing): "Never mess with a Marine's coffee if you want to live." 2.09 Forced Entry

27- There are two ways to follow someone.

1st way - they never notice you; 7.15 Jack Knife

2nd way - they only notice you. 7.24 Rule Fifty-One (on a piece of paper in Jethro's home)

38- Your case, your lead.

Gibbs (to Tony): "Your case, your lead. I think it's a rule."
6.16 Bounce

39- There is no such thing as coincidence.
7.21 Obsession

40- If it seems like someone's out to get you, they are.

Gibbs (to Abby): "Rule forty."
Abby (to Gibbs): "If you think someone is out to get you, they are." 7.22 Borderland

44- First things first, hide the women and children.

Gibbs (to Camila Charo to tell Mike Franks): "Tell him Rule 44" 7.23 Patriot Down

Shannon (to Gibbs): "Forty-four. First things first, Hide the women and children. You're actually writing these down?" 7.24 Rule Fifty-One

45- Clean up your messes.

Tony (to Gibbs): "Where are you gonna be?"
Gibbs (to Tony): "At the mess I gotta clean up."
Tony (whispers to Ziva): "That's 45 ... basically." 7.24 Rule Fifty-One

51- Sometimes - you're wrong.

Gibbs (written after reminiscing about his wife and his rules) 7.24 Rule Fifty-One

From 3.05 - Switch :

Ziva: Just to be clear, are there any more of these rules I should be aware of?
Gibbs: About 50 of them.
Ziva: And I don't suppose they're written down anywhere that I could—
Gibbs: NO.
Ziva: Then how am I supposed to—
Gibbs: My job is to teach them to you.

From 6.04 - Heartland:

Young Gibbs: You’ve got a rule for everything?
Shannon: Working on it. Everyone needs a code they can live by.

Something people seem to compliment you the most on.

Like most people, I do receive compliments. People have noted my home, cooking, writing, parenting, dependability, intelligence, patience, sense of humour, research, tenacity, competence, strength ... pretty much the usual stuff...

A lot of people tell me that I have nice eyes. I’d say that’s one of the most often mentioned items...

oh, and that I have a nice dog.

Day 10 Someone you need to let go, or wish you didn’t know.

ACK! As if. As if I'm going to name names. Let me tell you how difficult these challenges are. You don't realize, until you're a few days into it. The challenge is about TRUTH. It's about revealing my truth. I interpret that as the need to be absolutely honest (to the best of your knowledge and belief) and, in my opinion, this is a serious matter and requires some thought.

I've blogged about my sensibilities many times and anybody who knows me... well, let's just say that I am extremely straight forward...

anyway......................I set about the day, today, planning to think about who I needed to let go of... or who I wish that I didn't know... so that I could write honestly about that.

I wouldn't name names... I might draw pictures...

YUP....I thought so frequently about this blog, earlier, today... that I can't believe it, but I almost forgot to write it. hmmmm... something subconscious ?? I don't think so. I just hadn't finished thinking.

Sure it's late... but it's still today. My puter clock says 11:47 I've had a busy day.

I met with a new client this morning and it was a warming experience... and I listed her unique and wonderful, century plus home... it has quite a history... and that's right up my alley.

while driving, I was jumping between thoughts of this blog and thoughts of the property.

I had a nice lunch, with Mom...

and while I was driving... I was thinking.

and then, my puppy came home from the veterinarian. She's mostly groggy and a little bit constipated, post surgery and I can hear her vaguely whimpering just now, but otherwise she is fine.

There was a lot of stuff going on, between these highlights of my day... some business, some personal and some a combination of the two.

It was a good day, all in all... and after all that thinking, I pretty nearly went blissfully off to bed without writing this... but as I was heading in that general direction... I was thinking... and I realized that it was time to put an end to thinking (I would never have been able to sleep)...

I would have been tossing and turning... thinking... thinking... and I had to admit, time was up was because I hadn't been able to come up with someone to write about. I had been reaching for hours and I hadn't been able to come up with someone to write about.

This was clearly no excuse for skipping the challenge... I would have tossed and turned thinking about THAT, too!

Yup... I've learned not to waste my energy on black holes. It took me a while... but I caught on. When I encounter a personality conflict, I just wish them well and send them back to the universe, with love.

So, there really is no "someone" in my life that I need to let go, or wish I didn’t know ... at least not right at this moment.

Day 09 Someone you didn’t want to let go, but just drifted.

This topic brought to mind a poem that I've often heard:

People come into your life for a reason, a season or a lifetime. When you know which one it is, you will know what to do for that person. When someone is in your life for a REASON, it is usually to meet a need you have expressed. They have come to assist you through a difficulty, to provide you with guidance and support, to aid you physically, emotionally or spiritually. They may seem like a godsend and they are. They are there for the reason you need them to be. Then, without any wrongdoing on your part or at an inconvenient time, this person will say or do something to bring the relationship to an end. Sometimes they die. Sometimes they walk away. Sometimes they act up and force you to take a stand. What we must realize is that our need has been met, our desire fulfilled, their work is done. The prayer you sent up has been answered and now it is time to move on.

Some people come into your life for a SEASON, because your turn has come to share, grow or learn. They bring you an
experience of peace or make you laugh. They may teach you something you have never done. They usually give you an unbelievable amount of joy. Believe it, is real. But only for a season.!

LIFETIME relationships teach you lifetime lessons, things you must build upon in order to have a solid emotional foundation. Your job is to accept the lesson, love the person and put what you have learned to use in all other relationships and areas of your life. It is said that love is blind but friendship is clairvoyant.

author, Jeanne Hesprich

While a number of people came to mind... there are some that the fact that we drifted is probably for the best...

and others who I would love to connect with. Donna J, Keith D, Heather-Lynne spring to mind... and there are others too.

Day 8- Someone who made your life h*ll, or treated you like sh*t.

Oh, I have a list... somewhere in the deep recesses... once I have listed someone, I forgive them and then forget them. I don’t want to carry that pain around all the time.

I have always felt that you can’t avoid being wounded... but you can avoid suffering... and you can drop toxic people who haven’t dealt with their stuff and are nasty for it. &, in my experience, they know what they've done and know better than to try to mend things.

We all instinctively know when things are irreparable- I may forgive, I can't forget.

Off the top of my head, I thought of some family, some friends, a doctor or two, a number of colleagues in the industry, some clients, an ex-husband (or two or three)... and some others...and I thought about posting pictures... I’ve heard they’re worth a thousand words a piece. I thought of posting first names... and then, I thought better of it.

It wouldn't be productive, anyway. What's done is done. Old news. & as for my wounds, they've healed and I have released the pain to the universe, with love. I'm not vindictive, in spite of the fact that it is very likely that one of them was truly trying to kill me.

I prefer to remember the people who have always been kind... speaking of which....

A old acquaintance recently sent me a web link to a wonderful site...

http://www.wowzone.com/wowintro.htm

The philosophy here resonates well with my own.

WOW: Wish Only Well

Someone who has made your life worth living for.

During the dark moments of life, there have been many people who have made it possible for me to keep putting one foot in front of the other. Some stand out more than others.

Elizabeth Morden St. Clair-Hughes (nee Franklin)

When I was very young, my grandmother was one of my biggest supporters. Her joy for life and laughter kept me going.

During my teenaged years...

I had a truly GREAT teacher, Mr Parker. He was hard on us but he taught us a lot and we all loved him for it. He brought out the best in us.

I often consulted my aunt Linda ...

Linda Maureen St. Clair-Hughes

and I was rescued from a lonely 18th birthday by an acquaintance...

Kevin Shin

and I fell in love and married someone who made me laugh again...

David John King

in my twenties, Dr Nigel Jagan saved my life.

nearing my thirties...

I got a grant through the Canada Council for the Arts to attend the May Writer's Studio

and I met some wonderful people.

Bruce W. Powe

and my sister and brother (and their families) helped me through the sad parts.

John W. Noyes became my step-father and brought a whole new perspective to things.

and in my thirties...

Stanley came home from the Whitby pet shop

My longest relationship with a male, Stanny-boy was with me 23 years.

Baby Katie arrived.

&, my brother and sister (and their families) helped me through the sad parts of my 30s.

In my 40s...

as I lay trapped in a tangle of snow, trees, metal, glass and blood, it was thoughts of my Katie that brought me back from the brink

She was only 8. Katie taught me how to tie my shoes again. She helped me learn to read (by reading me the Harry Potter series) and she helped me learn to count, again. She loved me unconditionally and her angelic nature is what gave me back a life.

The better I got, the better choices I made and I kept thinking of what was best for "us".

Also in my 40s, Fabian (and his family) came into our lives...

and I met good friends, like Donna Thompson and Pam Stott... among others.

In my fifties...

the ski hill came along- and all the people that work with us there... they make the hard work, somehow, fun.... and my brother and sister (and their families) are helping me through the hard parts.

I know I'm missing some important people... but the most important mention goes to my daughter... Catherine Elizabeth Stewart... beautiful in so many ways...

she will always make my life worthwhile.

Something you hope you never have to do.

Okay... there's a few things that I hope that I never have to do... like dig up a septic bed... this picture is a nice new one... I mean an old used one... I've been close enough to know that I don't want to hold the shovel.

YUCK

& I don't like to eat liver....

I don't think I want to sky dive... but I KNOW that I don't want to have to deal with a parachute malfunction.

I don't want to have to shave my face...

or deal with cannibals....

be lost at sea....

fend off crocodiles or gaters....

be anywhere near snake pits....

be close to war....

be involved in any legal trials...

become a statistic...

have to ward off an attacker....

cope with life on the street...

be involved in a missing persons case...

love the victim of an unsolved murder....

be at all involved in crime...

call an intervention...

to hurt or kill anyone...

to bury a child...

to deal with life support...

to wear a tutu...

or cheesey uniform...

or deal with a zombie apocalypse...

I'm sure there are other things... but I've had enough for now.

Something you hope to do in your life

Hmmmmm.... Interesting... & Oh, the images one conjures!

In the 70s, I read a book about setting priorities and doing the things that really matter... I suppose it was something like "The Bucket List" and it was extremely inspiring. I have managed to do many of things that I aspired to, back then. Ya... there are still many items on the cerebral list and new ones keep being added.

Reviewing this challenge... day 4... something you'd like to do in your life... there are so many small things... sure, I'd like to visit the Grand Canyon. I'd like to learn how to belly dance. I'd like to laugh more. I'd like to spend time resting in a hammock. It would be fun to win an academy award, it would be fun just to hold one. I would like to spend more time in a canoe. I'd like to see my work published in book form... not an anthology.... one book... one author (me). There are other things- like contuining listing to stones... and learning more about our aboriginal peoples... exploring even more creatively... but really, there are too many to mention.

I would love to solve the puzzle of missing pieces in my family tree.

Oh, ya. I could list a lot of "things".

I am blessed with my daughter and look forward to our future (I hope to live a good long life) and perhaps, have grandchildren.

If I was to sum it up, though... what I want to do in my life is "be truly helpful".

Something you have to forgive someone for.

I am a little confused... the way this reads, it seems to be saying something that I haven't forgiven someone for, already... oh man, have I forgiven people...

I once directed a play for the local theatre guild... and at our first rehearsal, I handed out the following:

Forgiveness

“is an act of courage
because it means we use the past
injury as a way to heal our own soul,
forgive ourselves and forgive
the other person.

Forgiveness empowers by ‘unhooking’ us
From the past and the people in it
Who have injured us.
It reclaims our control over our own selves
And allows us to move into our future
With clean energy.

Forgiveness does not condone what someone has done to us;
On the contrary, it forces us to acknowledge the darkness of the act
And its consequences. But it also forces us
To acknowledge our participation in both the act

And the perpetuation of its injury within us.

Forgiveness allows us to heal ourselves with the choice to let go.

It gives us the opportunity to become our own healers
Rather than to wait for the other person to correct the injury.
The latter position is the one of the child and the victim:
The former, the one of the empowered healer.”

By Elizabeth Stratton
“Touching Spirit”

I never did explain why... but, by the end of the run, it should have been all too clear... and if it wasn't... please be assured, I forgive.

Something you have to forgive yourself for.

Well, now.... If I have to choose one thing, as the word "something" suggests....

Definition of SOMETHING

1 a: some indeterminate or unspecified thing b : some indeterminate amount more than a specified number —used in combination twenty-something years old or a group of fifty-somethings
2: a person or thing of consequence
3: one having more or less the character, qualities, or nature of something different: is something of a bore
— something else
: something or someone special or extraordinary

I have extremely high expectations of myself... some might say that I have unrealistically high expectations of myself... still, I strive to be my very best, to do my very best... to aim toward the highest good and sometimes, I am disappointed in myself and have to forgive... yes, I frequently have to remind myself of my imperfection. Jody is not perfect. Jody is not perfect and she is forgiven for being imperfect. Yup... that about sums it up.

Something you love about yourself

This blog challenge is more difficult than it looked. I’ve been giving some thought about the things that I love about myself... and the things that I love to do... like my sister-in-law, Sue, who said (in her blog 30 days of truth) that she loves that she is never bored... I’m never bored. I love to research... I read, I work on my family tree... I write... I work... and I think... I love having a daughter... but then, my daughter is pretty special and I would love her, even if she wasn’t my flesh and blood... I love family and history... my friends... and by and large, I'm quite satisfied with me... and then, it struck me... I love my positive outlook on life.

I am a survivor- in many, many ways. On paper, my life looks like anything but a picnic and yet, I have always been pretty happy and optimistic. I look at set-backs as opportunities... I tend to cheer others on, too.

I have never known any other coping mechanism except to keep putting one foot in front of the other... and I’ve always been aware that suffering was an option... and not one that I wanted to take. You can’t avoid pain... but you can avoid wallowing in it.

I admit it. I make lemonade.

Day 01: Something you hate about yourself.

For the most part, I’m not a “hater”. In my personal vocabulary “hate” is far too definitive, way too extreme, irreversibly negative... and I have been told that one of my weaknesses is that I haven’t learned to “hate”. Now, if I look at the dictionary definition, I see that it I may be overreacting, somewhat... but then, thinking it over... I suppose I have an extreme aversion to the word hate... the idea of hate... the oppressive use of hate... the culture of hate... hate crimes...

HATE

v. hat•ed, hat•ing, hates
v.tr.
1.
a. To feel hostility or animosity toward.
b. To detest.
2. To feel dislike or distaste for: hates washing dishes.
v.intr.
To feel hatred.
n.
1. Intense animosity or dislike; hatred.
2. An object of detestation or hatred

verb, hat•ed, hat•ing, noun
–verb (used with object)
1.
to dislike intensely or passionately; feel extreme aversion for or extreme hostility toward; detest: to hate the enemy; to hate bigotry.
2.
to be unwilling; dislike: I hate to do it.
–verb (used without object)
3.
to feel intense dislike, or extreme aversion or hostility.
–noun
4.
intense dislike; extreme aversion or hostility.
5.
the object of extreme aversion or hostility.

Synonyms

1. loathe, execrate; despise. HATE, ABHOR, DETEST, ABOMINATE imply feeling intense dislike or aversion toward something. HATE, the simple and general word, suggests passionate dislike and a feeling of enmity: to hate autocracy. ABHOR expresses a deep-rooted horror and a sense of repugnance or complete rejection: to abhor cruelty; Nature abhors a vacuum. DETEST implies intense, even vehement, dislike and antipathy, besides a sense of disdain: to detest a combination of ignorance and arrogance. ABOMINATE expresses a strong feeling of disgust and repulsion toward something thought of as unworthy, unlucky, or the like: to abominate treachery.

While I’m pretty hard on myself... I can’t say that I consistently hate anything about myself... I have had plenty of moments of dislike... but I truly see them as opportunities for self-evaluation and improvement. I have to admit, there are some areas that get revisited more regularly and I suppose they would be characteristics that I find the least attractive in myself. These would include those occasions in which I feel I have talked excessively or times that I feel I might have come across as self-indulgent or boastful... or situations in which I feel I have communicated poorly and been misunderstood... and heaven forbid, if I think I’ve hurt someone.

I never would seek to hurt. I don’t like to disappoint people, including myself. I am particularly disgusted by injustice... that’s something that always gets a rise out of me... I don’t hate that personal trait... but there are times in which I will defend the underdog, to my own detriment- which doesn’t always feel great. Fortunately, I realize nobody is perfect and I forgive easily... maybe too easily... well, sometimes.

I haven't written much lately. I've been editing. & to be honest, the Real Estate World is kind of sad these days. While there is no question that I still feel passion about my work, if I look at the big picture... the industry... I run a gamut of emotions... and... well... mostly, I see red... and it isn't pretty.

When it comes to real estate, I know my stuff. I take it seriously and I am diligent. A Realtor has to be diligent. If I have a weakness, it's probably that I'm not predatory enough... well, let me explain that... I am as aggressive as I want to be. I am assertive when I need to be. I don't chase after listings, I rely mostly on referrals. I had one broker tell me that if I did more to apply myself that I would be one of the giants in the business... and I told him I didn't measure my success by volume. When it comes to real estate, I just want to earn an honest living.

I've thought about my blog- a lot. I've considered some real estate topics but I realize that the components that I may find important may not be of interest to a reader. I find that a lot of people email or call me, with questions... consumers and other real estate practitioners... and I’m always happy to help direct them to the appropriate authority, if I don’t have the answer. I do prefer my email to come to bancroftrealestate@yahoo.ca.

Having found myself at a crossroad when it comes to blog topics, I have decided to take on a challenge. My sister-in-law (Sue St. Clair) has doing a meme that she found on some other blogger’s site... and I have decided to give it a go.

And as Sue says on her blog: http://networkedblogs.com/ewO67

“ If you are reading this please feel free to share your own truths/thoughts in the comment section if you'd like.

And here is the complete list for those who want to try it out.

Thirty Days of Truth list:

Day 01 Something you hate about yourself.
Day 02 Something you love about yourself.
Day 03 Something you have to forgive yourself for.
Day 04 Something you have to forgive someone for.
Day 05 Something you hope to do in your life.
Day 06 Something you hope you never have to do.
Day 07 Someone who has made your life worth living for.
Day 08 Someone who made your life h*ll, or treated you like sh*t.
Day 09 Someone you didn’t want to let go, but just drifted.
Day 10 Someone you need to let go, or wish you didn’t know.
Day 11 Something people seem to compliment you the most on.
Day 12 Something you never get compliments on.
Day 13 A band or artist that has gotten you through some tough *ss days. (write a letter.)
Day 14 A hero that has let you down. (letter)
Day 15 Something or someone you couldn’t live without, because you’ve tried living without it.
Day 16 Someone or something you definitely could live without.
Day 17 A book you’ve read that changed your views on something.
Day 18 Your views on gay marriage.
Day 19 What do you think of religion? Or what do you think of politics?
Day 20 Your views on drugs and alcohol.
Day 21 (scenario) Your best friend is in a car accident and you two got into a fight an hour before. What do you do?
Day 22 Something you wish you hadn’t done in your life.
Day 23 Something you wish you had done in your life.
Day 24 Make a playlist, and explain why you chose all the songs. (Just post the titles and artists and letter)
Day 25 The reason you believe you’re still alive today.
Day 26 Have you ever thought about giving up on life? If so, when and why?
Day 27 What’s the best thing going for you right now?
Day 28 What if you were pregnant or got someone pregnant, what would you do?
Day 29 Something you hope to change about yourself. And why.
Day 30 A letter to yourself, tell yourself EVERYTHING you love about yourself ”

So it begins.

I have been struggling for days... thinking about the recent death of my Aunt, Barbara. & I mean struggling. This was no ordinary loss. This was one of the most meaningful losses- it was the kind of loss that provokes the most intense self examination...

& I had just wanted to write a fitting tribute... a memorial to Barbara Colleen, my aunt.

She was very premature... less than a pound at birth... many of her internal organs exposed. The doctors gave her up for dead... she had surgery immediately and little Barbara Colleen held on. I remember hearing that Nana & Boppa were told that Barbie would never live into her teens. She was a tiny little doll... a precious little girl. She was 2 years my senior.

My cousin, Shari and I, were just a few months apart in age and the three of us were playmates... but for such a short time.

It was sad outgrowing Barbie... for all of us, she included.

We loved Barbara... and Barbara loved us. Barbara loved everyone. Unless she was mad... then she just wanted to control the situation and frankly, she could get very cranky. Fortunately, that did not happen all that often... especially in the early years.

I believe that when Barbie realized and processed the concept that the family was developing at a different pace, she began having a great deal of anxiety... and some depression... it was sad for all of us... Then, Barbie discovered "Beavers". There, she socialized with her peers & she was never happier, than when she was bowling or hanging out, dancing with her pals... singing.

Barbie loved music. She would play her records until she wore them out. "Little Bobby Shafto" was one of her favourites. & she loved her dolls... in particular, she was vigilant about teaching them to walk. When they came out with "walking dolls", Barbie was in her glory! She was extremely maternal.

Another favourite toy was her "Googie"... a stuffed chimpanzee with a banana in his hand. Barbie really preened her googie.

Barbie loved the family... but so often, these occasions were met with complete tears. & we understood and we wished we could fix it....After losing her mother, it became clear that Dad wasn't going to be able to take care of Barbie. & Barbie went to live in a "group home" with her peers.
There, I understand she quickly learned a great number of skills... enabling her to find employment, use public transport and do her own banking...

Various members of the family had the opportunity to visit Barbie there... and they could see that she was very happy. As Barbie got older, visits with family became overwhelming and we concluded that she was happiest left alone with her "family" at the group home.

We loved Barbie enough to respect that... and besides, it was horrendously difficult to visit and not quite know what to do... and she didn't respond well to overnight visits with family.

When notified of Barbara's passing, one of my cousins told me that she felt horrendous guilt about not having visited Barbie more often... and I comforted her by saying that I did, too

& I also mentioned that you can always find a coulda, shoulda, woulda... and that isn't fair, either... we all have had our "stuff"...

our lives have become so very complicated... raising children, caring for & losing parents, getting divorced... earning a living... and processing the transitions that life brings... those are the things that were most difficult for Barbie... she was very upset by change... and she didn't forget a thing.

Although it had been years, I recently told Fabian that I knew that if we were to visit Barbara... she would rub one index finger along the other and say, "Shame Shame Jo".... and laugh until she cried...

While we didn't seem to understand each other... on some levels- we really did....

and as I see it... our family made the best effort... to cause the least number of emotional upheavals and to respect Barbie's right to happiness... to facilitate her independence... and she blossomed & flourished with this "other" family, while we carried our love for her, in our hearts.

Barbara was fortunate in having some caregivers that spent many years with her. I'm sure she found comfort in that continuity of care. As a child, she often had respiratory related sickness... and I understand that her later years brought heart disease and some dementia... she had spent a number of years in a wheelchair, too.

I will always remember her gentle laugh.