Labour Day Weekend

The extended break from school ends in a few hours, or one more sleep.  I can't remember exactly, it was around January 26th or so, but that was the last day I was at work and still in the routine of waking early, getting lunches ready, and the daily events of work.  It all ends, but Shelly and I are both signed up again.  February 1st in 2021 will come sooner than I think.

The Labour Day weekend starts with a Bluesfest/Pub Crawl around Goderich.  On Friday night a few of us hopped from this place to that listening to a combination of rock'n  roll, and traditional blues music too.  I think 8 different establishments host some sort of act, and they are all within 800m of one another.  So for $15 you can't do much better for some live entertainment.  

On Friday night Shelly's band was playing, but not on The Square in Goderich.  They played at a restaurant in Lucknow.  Despite missing their fiddler, maybe she wants to be known as a violinist, they sounded great.  Dames Rocket is still rocking the scene from time to time.

On Saturday morning the Huron District Labour Council hosted its annual parade and bbq around The Square.  I've been involved with this for about 4 or 5 years.  This year I quarterbacked most of it as the main organizer over the past 15 years was away on a much deserved retirement holiday.  I wouldn't say I'm second in command, but rather I said I'd take over the planning of it all.  All in all it isn't too much to take on, and we had the event.  I thought the turnout was pitiful, although it is a long weekend and people are out of town.  In saying that there are just about 300 public elementary teachers who work in Huron County, and only 1 was there - that would be me.  However I was glad to be the face of this year's parade and Shelly, Molly and Wally marched too. Maybe if our collective agreement gets stripped and butchered this fall elementary teachers may pay a bit more mind to union activism, or maybe they won't care.  

On Sunday I did some construction repairs out at the farm.  We have an 8x8 shed that had been run into with a tractor.  It was all dented and busted up and looked like hell.  We keep 2 or 3 full cords of wood in it, along with a few axes, kindling, paper, and a sundry of other useful and useless things we need out at the cabin - fire pit things and such.  So I had it in my mind to rip out the damage, rebuild it up, and put barn board on it....  To make a long story short I am absolutely terrible at any and all endeavours related to cutting, sawing, screwing, fixing, measuring, hammering, nailing, caulking, and so on.  I can tear stuff apart like an animal, but I have no ability to recreate.  I am dangerous because I have some tools, not enough of course, but an uncategorized assortment, and I have enough stupidity that I think, and want to tackle these projects that I clearly can't do.  

To make a long story short after everything was clearly ripped apart, beyond any point of return, I went at my recreating.  Now would be a good time for a picture.  By and by I mocked up, and scrambled together a new "face" on my shed.  It looks like it was put together by someone without 1 bit of competency or iota of a construction background.  (Which clearly I don't.)  It looks something like the first project a kindergarten student would bring home during the first week of school.  Parents may say, "That looks great Drew," but really they are wondering what the hell is going on.

Anyway - I will post a picture.  I don't think it will fall down, and I do think it will keep everything tight inside....

Monday was off to Lake Wawanosh Conservation Area on Creek Line for a family canoe.  It is only about 15km from our farm and about 8km from Brookside.  Right in the heart of Ashfield township.  The lake would be almost round-ish, give or take.  At it farthest points you would be about 1 mile from where you put in.  We went for a 40 minute easy paddle and explored some of the far off inlets.  It really is a great spot.  The water is very shallow, yet also very much filled with plant live.  I would assume its bottom is very much soft and mucky.  The water was very warm and we saw lots of painted turtles and a number of herons.  We saw a few fish, but nothing very big.  It was an overcast day and a bit windy.  But there is no ripple or waves to speak of. 

We were out here a few weeks ago and attempted a big walk.  We got stopped rather quickly by a complaining Wally, and also the trail kind of fizzled out.  I'm sure with a bit more spirit we could find some neat adventures.  This place seems like it is way off the beaten trail and hidden, but the last two times we have been there, there has always been a number of other like minded enthusiasts scouting it out.