Tuck

This is our dog, Tuck.  He was found in the ditch when he was about 6 weeks (we're guessing) with his sister (again, we're guessing).  His right front paw pad was sliced off and his sister was also injured.  We don't believe that this was an 'accident'.  The family that took him in were told by the vet that his paw would never heal.  We got him a year later as they lived in a small house on a small corner lot in town and he had gotten too big and energetic for their baby. 

For at least the next 4 or 5 years, the pad would not grow back then suddenly, and miraculously, last year it did!  I have always thought that his leg had something wrong (from when he was a pup, also) but the vet thought not.  He looks quite comical when he runs because he favours his right paw.  His head really bobs up and down because he is essentially running on just his front left leg.  The right is just along for the ride, although it will completely bear his weight.  In the top picture, it looks like half of  his leg is missing, but it's all there...including the pad!  In the other pic., he getting ready for a drink in an area that is very wet.  He likes to roll around in the water then wants in the house!

Winter Too Long!

I am so grateful that spring is finally here, even though we still occasionally wear heavier coats. Winter has been long and the kids need to get outside for a change.  This winter, I was reading by the fire while my daughter #3 was about 5 feet to my right on her laptop and son #3 was the same distance to the left on the family computer.  Things were nice and quiet down on the farm, the peace disrupted only by a few giggles here and there.  Suddenly, my son yelled, "Hey, you can't say that!  Mom, you should hear what she called me!"  I hadn't heard a thing so I was baffled until they explained, one angrily and the other still giggling, that they had been on Facebook talking to each other, and,of course, since name-calling can take place anywhere...!!!  Only 10 feet apart and they're talking to each other through the computer!
We ALL need spring!

Sunset

The top 2 pics. are of the sun setting in our backyard last summer.  The bottom one is the sun setting over the Beaver Valley near Epping, Ont.  Half the valley was in sunlight, the other in shade and the line went through the valley the long way.

Solstice B&B

Solstice B&B is a beautifully-renovated 1868 church by the small town of Bognor, On., pop. - 135 people.  It is set on a hill that gives a view out over the Niagara Escarpment and Queen's Valley.  There are 2 rooms.  The Plum Room (sounds like a setting for 'CLUE') has a queen-sized bed and private washroom and the original wainscotting and stained-glass windows have been retained.  Prices range from $85-$125.
The White Room has a double-sized bed, costs $75 and has a private deck with a view of the escarpment.
 Solstice B&B is centrally located in northern Grey County.  It is located 1.5 k. from the Bruce Trail, which is 885 k. long.  I haven't stayed here...yet, but don't wait for me.  If you're in the area, check it out.  Let us know how your stay was and leave a 'testimonial' on the website:  http://www.bbcanada.com/.

www.bognor-local-history.co.uk/bognorcanada.html

Epping, Ontario

The first church that I was able to take pictures of was the old abandoned church at the Epping, On. corners.  Since there is nothing else left of the original town, there isn't a lot of information available. I did manage to find a site called www.ghosttownpix.com/ontario/towns/eppin.html that had some info. of the town, as well as the church. 
Most of the pioneers who immigrated to North America in the 1800's came for the free (or nearly free) land and the Scottish settlers who settled here in the 1850's were no different.  Epping was certainly a picturesque location for a village but it could not have been a very easy place to get to.  Roads in the 1850's were little more than paths at best and impassable at times.  Roads with a lot of hills would be impossible.  Epping is on a hill.  One of the roads going away from the town is steep enough to pose a problem, even today with our modern vehicles, on a slushy, muddy or icy day.
John Benson had Grey County's first post office located in his home in 1858.  Although this might have made him a pretty important person about town in his day, I don't envy him.  His route first went from Meaford to Epping then later the route was changed to add Flesherton, On.  This took 2 days to complete the round-trip - on horseback!  I'm assuming that he would not have gotten a break, just because it was storming.  Everyone worked under the same tough, gruelling conditions, so I doubt that there was much room for sympathy.  They all wanted their mail from home!
A few years later, in 1864, a new school called S.S.No.7 Euphrasia was built.  The teacher, Susan Johnston would teach approximately 25 students.
Farmland cost $20-$30 per acre and farming was the most important business by the late 1860's.  James Marshall's Store now held the post office, the population had grown to about 50 and the village had a shoemaker!
An Anglican Church was erected in the 1880's and a new brick Methodist Church was built to replace the old, frame one.  The town now had 2 carpenters, a mason, 2 blacksmiths and a local Justice of the Peace.
It sounds as though Epping would continue to slowly grow but sadly, it would not last.  The population never grew over 50 and in 1921, the post office shut down in favour of the allure of the bigger centres. All that is left of a town that, while not big, still managed to satisfy the need of its citizens, is the Mount Hope Methodist Church.
I'm amazed at the great condition of the building.  The red brick is in good shape and, even though the windows are boarded up, (no doubt because of the usual idiot vandals,) the arches are still as beautiful as ever.  I would so love to get inside to take pics., even though there's no natural light and presumably, no hydro.
Things have certainly changed and no doubt, the town's founders would be shocked at the disappearance of the town that they struggled so valiantly to build. Of course, it no longer takes 2 days to get from Meaford to Epping to Flesherton and back.  Nothing that a few hours wouldn't take care of.  Land prices have risen anywhere from $2,000.00 - $10,000.00 per acre.  Townspeople have taken over the towns and countryside alike and forced the farmer and his farm to the back burner of society.  The only constant for the old town of Epping is...the view from the corner out over the Beaver Valley is as amazing and outstounding as it was in John Benson's day!!

Heavenly Churches!

I've always loved old buildings, especially churches.  The high peaks, the elegantly arched windows and the hours of work that went into the stained-glass.  The back doors were usually quite plain but the front doors - the doors of WELCOME - would make up for that by being larger, perhaps with some intricate and fancy carvings, waiting open at the top of the steps!  The cross on top  would announce to people for miles around that "Here we are!" and the pealing of bells would say "We are open!  Welcome to the Lord's House!"   The old country churches, though, are the best.  They had the qualities of the larger churches but on a smaller scale, thus speaking of the more humble means of the congregation and often the more humble attitude.  If the locals had to pay for the building and its contents on their own, things were bound to be much more meagre, as well as more appreciated and cared for.

The thing that stands out for me the most is the wood - old hardwood floors, wooden pews, wooden windows and sills and trim, solid wood doors throughout and the beautifully-shined organs.  Some buildings were made inside and out of wood, others of stone.  This wood was always shiny and oh, so lovely-looking!
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Declining numbers and government regulations have closed a number of these beautiful, old buildings.  Some have been renovated into houses and stores and some simply left to fall down in rot.   I'd like to at least show a few of them before any more do