Muskoka Archives - JP McLean

I almost didn’t make my annual trip to Muskoka this year—didn’t want to wear out my welcome; I’d visited twice last year, once for my parents’ 60^th wedding anniversary, and again at Christmas. Happily, all it took was one phone call from my big sister to change my mind. Guess I was looking for a push. The cottage fills me with childhood memories of when we were water babies, snow babies, and bonfire aficionados.

First stop: Toronto

This year, my vacation didn’t quite sync with my sister’s time off, but it meant I got to spend some time in downtown Toronto, which I haven’t done for years.

Photo of the spire of St. James Church in Toronto Ontario I love the old stone buildings and the towering spires of the Cathedral Church of St. James is a beautiful example.

Photo of a mural painted on the end of the red-brick Flatiron Building in downtown Toronto, Ontario Red brick is a Toronto staple and found everywhere. I snapped a pic of the Flatiron building with the Trompe l’ceil wall on the rear.

Photo of iconic Toronto City Hall building City Hall made me pause. I remembered finishing a ten-kilometre Miles-for-Millions walkathon there when I was a pre-teen (though I can’t remember where the trek began or what we were raising money for).

I stopped to watch dogs and their owners enjoy a whimsical spouting fountain in Berczy Park that made me wish I still had my dogs.

Photo of red-brick facade of Toronto's St. Lawrence Market The St. Lawrence Market hasn’t changed, though the pork chops weren’t piled sky high in the butchers’ cases like they used to be.

Next stop: Cottage Country

At the end of the week, we headed up to my sister’s cottage, which is our grandmother’s former home. It’s next door to our parent’s place on the Manitouwabing River.

Photo of JP's family cottage on the Manitouwabing River in Ontario Photo of the manitouwabing river running in front of JP's family cottage in Ontario View from the porch of JP's family cottage on the Manitouwabing River in Ontario Photo of a waterfall on the Manitouwabing River in Ontario Photo of an ornamental water wheelhouse on Manitouwabing River in Ontario

I had a terrific visit with parents, sisters, a brother, a great aunt, cousins, nieces, and many friends. We spent time reminiscing, as we inevitably do, and adding to each other’s memories.

When I was young, I didn’t appreciate the cottage like I do now. It wasn’t that I didn’t enjoy being there, but the drive up was torture. I got terribly car sick (still do) and it was a four-hour slog. I hated leaving my friends in the city and missing all the weekend parties (good planning, my folks would say!).

These Muskoka visits take me back in time to magical summers, winters, and weekends. We were water babies, snow babies and bonfire aficionados. I treasure the memories and look forward to going back each year.

On the writing front

Not many words made it to the page during my time in Ontario, but Emelynn’s next book sits at 65K. It’s coming along and I’m looking forward to getting back to it this week.

Another note on the rebranding front: at the August long weekend’s Denman’s Saturday market, after his wife bought Awakening, her husband, Frank, told me he’d avoided my table because he thought I was peddling religious material. That’s yet another vote for rebranding!

You can pick up your copy of Secret Sky from your favourite retailer right here! Or click on the cover image below for more purchase options.

Family cottage on the Manitouwabing River in Broadbent, Ontario — Family Cottage on the Manitouwabing River

Well, maybe not frog whispering so much as frog herding, but I’m adding it to my CV. The cute little critter hopped into my sister’s ground floor entry while I was unloading the car. I would have stopped to snap a photo, but my bedroom was just around the corner and as much as I like frogs, I really didn’t want to sleep with the fella.

Swim ladder off a point on the Manitouwabing River in Broadbent, Ontario — Herbie’s Point

After frog whispering failed to coax him on his way, I tried frog wrangling. He promptly peed on my hand and slipped out of my grip to hide behind a chest. That’s when I resorted to frog herding. I could have used my sister’s help, but she was busy laughing at me from up the stairs. Thankfully, with a gentle nudge, the frog eventually found its way back outside.

A sunset over the Manitouwabing River in Broadbent Ontario — Broadbent Sunset

And the frog was just the start of my Ontario holiday visit with family and friends in Muskoka’s cottage country. My time in Ontario is short, so we make the best of it. We roasted marshmallows over bonfires, cruised the river a time or two, and enjoyed a glass of wine with the sunsets.

And once again, I was honoured to be invited to read at the McKellar Public Library. Maxine, Joan, Jackie and Pat made me feel at home, and they’ll welcome you as well because this library is all about community.

JP McLean standing by the McKellar Library roadside billboard announcing her reading — JP McLean’s name on the big billboard

I’ve written about it twice before (2013 and 2014), so won’t repeat it here except to say you won’t find another library around where your library card will get you a book, a fishing rod and tackle! So if you find yourself on Highway #124 passing through McKellar, be sure to stop in for a visit.

Giant dock spider on Paradise Lake Haliburton Ontario — Paradise Lake Dock Spider

This year, I made a side trip to Halibuton to visit a cousin who’s building a home on Paradise Lake. What a beautiful spot! Their claim to fame may be the biggest dock spider on the planet – kind of reminded me of the disembodied hand named Thing from The Addams Family TV show.

Soon enough, my Ontario visit came to a close, and on my way home I dropped by Barrie for a visit with great friends, a garden tour and an impromptu porch reading. It was a fine way to end my holiday.

Bonfire on Paradise Lake shore in Haliburton, Ontario — Bonfire on Paradise Lake

As always, it’s good to get away and just as good to get home. I’m unpacked now and all caught up on laundry and emails. Best of all, I’m digging back into my writing projects. Yes . . . that’s an “s” on the end of projects, and I can hardly wait to share them with you.