Chez PLJ

Doggie crowd and their people at Kew Beach off-leash park

Sisters Photon, Cobalt and Raven [photographer's comment: please note that the gravel and waves are focused, it's the dogs who are blurry!]

On Tuesday at Kew Beach we had a little get-together of several Toronto-area Stoverly mini aussies (and their people). We ended up with six minis (and one non-Stoverly, standard aussie Charli) representing two main breeding lines: Photon, Cobalt and Raven W are all Hershey-Max siblings (Raven from a previous litter); and Splash, Bean and Jazz are respectively, mother and daughters from two different litters.

Photon greets long-lost-sister Raven

Photon shows Raven how to rob Cobalt at sea

To Jazz’s owner’s disappointment, the dogs couldn’t care less about their family relationships; Splash and her daughters never really acknowledged each other much, showing the typical aussie reserve towards new dogs or people. Hershey’s girls, by contrast, had a great time playing with each other, both in and out of the lake—but did the same with any other dog who happened by. Dogs just don’t put the same emphasis on blood ties as humans do—and they’re probably a lot less neurotic for it!

Kew Beach at sunset with a log of tired dogs!

So Grandpa hasn’t had a lot of luck with his 17′ boat lately. It’s been in for repairs constantly, and two weeks ago, Dad and Austin were just returning to the cottage from getting it repaired when one of the gears seized while they were in the middle of a rocky channel, and they had to flag down a kind boater to tow them back to the repair marina.

So I joined Dad last weekend for some male bonding, and maybe because the weather seemed a bit changeable. As we waited to settle the account it got a little dark with thunderstorms to the north, but brightness over the horizon suggested that it would clear soon. We headed out through some tight passages to the channel markers near where the Trent-Severn system becomes Georgian Bay, and the water was only a little choppy. As we headed into the open water, we stated noticing a bit of spray. Dad had brought a towel just in case and started to use it to clean his glasses. Then the waves started to get rougher. Water started coming over the bow more and more frequently.

It’s pretty clear now that we had hit a mild version of the kind of sudden weather the Great Lakes are famous for. The storm to the north may have missed us, but it had churned up the bay. We were less than a kilometre and a half from home, but we couldn’t deviate course, because the gradually growing waves were getting too menacing. Dad had found an good angle to hit the waves to reduce the oncoming water, but as the waves got bigger they started to knock it broadside, so he had to hit them straight on. The boat was no longer bouncing on the crests, but starting to ride up and down the growing wave faces. I looked down and noticed that Dad’s towel was drenched: THEN I notice that my running shoes were in about 5 inches of water. I started to spot ahead for the larger waves so that Dad could steer into them. The bilge pump was going for a while, then I guess it shorted out.

I spotted the biggest wave several seconds before it hit us and Dad steered and we braced for impact. It was like a small rollercoaster. We rode it up then plunged into the next wave face, and it was like a Hollywood movie; whitewater pouring into me for a couple of seconds. I remember yelling over to Dad “Are you still there?” as it cleared—and he was, gripping tightly on the steering wheel.

After that, none of the waves were as bad, but the boat had about 16 to 18 inches of water in it, many of the seat sushions were floating at the back. We must have been riding pretty darn low. As we headed for the home stretch, we still weren’t absolutely sure the boat could make it in, but as we got into our little bay we knew the water was probably no deeper than six or seven feet maximum. “We can walk from here” Dad said.

Dad did a great job of bringing it into the dock, though it was really sluggish to steer. It would fit into it’s dock cradle until we did some bailing; I figure bailing alone probably dumped about half a ton of water.

It was an adventure, no one was hurt, and the boat’s no worse for the wear. Fun on a Saturday afternoon. But no one remembered to bring a camera last weekend!

You won’t enjoy this half as much if you’ve haven’t seen at least one of these.

Kayak (drawing by Jon)

(The “cyclone experiment” is a Blue’s Clues science demonstration of vortices using swirling water in a pair of pop bottles. The drawings are done hand-over-hand*.—L)

August 27/07

I went to the cottage on Friday. And I was trying the cyclone experiment. I went kayaking with my dad. Then I sat in the kayak and threw rocks in the water. I like to play Wii Sports on the big screen TV. Grandpa likes to watch Golf on the big screen TV. This evening I will do the cyclone experiment.

Jon

Golf green on big screen TV (drawing by Jon)

* Hand-over hand drawing involves Peter holding Jon’s hand steady, occasionally helping if he’s unsure where to go—there will be some influence from Peter, sometimes knowingly and sometimes ouija-board style. Jon is more sophisticated visually, so he is disappointed if he can’t make out what he draws. But he always chooses colours and composition himself, sometimes surprisingly so.

(The mention of Dr. Seuss needs some comment: we’ve pretty much banished his Seuss videos from his current rotation since they’re just too young for him and he likes to watch and re-watch them incessantly. But crafty Jon figured that 1) Grandma’s coming so he could snooker her into giving him videos; and 2) He put it in his journal so it must be true. Alas for truth in the media; he didn’t get his Seuss tapes back.—L)

August 21/07

I love Grandma. I like to watch a video with my Grandma. I hug Grandma. I like to kiss my Grandma. Grandma is here. I like to order some food. I like to show Grandma the DW’s theme in Arthur’s first grade. Tonight I’m going to watch Dr. Seuss.

August 20/07

I did my Wii Fitness test on Wii Sports. I didn’t get Golf but I did get Bowling. I did Power Throws. My dad did his Wii Fitness test. My Mommy did her Wii Fitness test. My favorite Wii Fitness test is Power Throws. Tonight I’m going to watch a Looney Toons DVD.

Jon

(Snacks and Bugs Bunny; could life get any better? —L)

August 19/07

I went outside and I went for a walk with my Daddy. I went to Sun Valley to get some chocolate chips. Next I went to No Frills to get some Barbecue Crispers. Tonight I’m going to watch a Looney Toons video tape.

Jon