Tempus Fugit

I was cleaning the kitchen counter the other day and saw this…

and for some reason I immediately thought of this..

What does it mean? Pareodolia or Apophenia?

Rays
Originally uploaded by Big Dadoo

I’m at the lake this weekend with Eric & Scott for “guys” weekend. While they were sleeping I was up shortly after sunrise. After brewing some coffee to go, I headed out in the kayak for a paddle. How convenient that even the kayak has a cup holder. After a leisurely cruise around the bay I returned to the cottage to find out it was 8am and I’ve been gone for 2hrs. Time flies when you’re having fun. I captured some great pictures down in the small marsh at the end of our bay

Drinking from the hose #2
Originally uploaded by Big Dadoo

Cooper, Dez & Eric’s dog, learned a new trick the other day. During a break from home renovations on a nice warm afternoon, Dez turns on the hose and Cooper’s curiosity leads her to a nice cool drink. More photos here.

Made by Hand
Originally uploaded by Big Dadoo

I was cutting he grass yesterday and the lawnmower ran out of gas. No problem, I’ve got a gas can in the shed. The picture is my gas can for the lawnmower. But, it’s not your average gas can. It’s not a hunk of red plastic from Canadian Tire, made in China by a machine or some unknown person.

This gas can was made by my Grandpa Stewart. I have no idea how old it it, but it’s been around as long as I can remember. Add the parts were made by Grandpa by hand. Sheet metal rolled and formed by hand, soldered together by hand. The wood handle turned on a lathe. The knurled brass caps, turned on a metal lathe. And here it is, in my shed, still working just fine after 50+ year. I doubt that any plastic gas can will stand this test of time. Oh, it will still be around, in a land fill somewhere, because that plastic is never going away, but I’ll bet it won’t be in use.

Another thing the plastic gas can won’t do is bring back memories. Ever time I touch this gas can I remember my Dad and my Grandpa and what great men they were and what a great legacy they left me and a wonderful deposit they made in my life.

Thanks for the gas can.

Birthday Guy

Originally uploaded by Big Dadoo

We’re so proud of the young man you’ve become. Happy Birthday. The best is yet to come.

Love,

Mom & Dad

Shirley in the Sky
Originally uploaded by Big Dadoo

The May long weekend is the traditional cottage opening weekend for us. “Opening” a cottage for those not familiar with the process is primarily about starting up the water system and other lesser tasks to get the place up and running after being shutdown for the winter. If friends invite you to the lake for either May long weekend or Thanksgiving, it’s best to decline unless you’re into working a lot.

Starting up the water system was relatively easy. There were no “surprise” breaks in any of the lines and the pump prime kicked in on the third time lucky. It would have started on the first try, but I couldn’t get the screen off the foot valve to let all the air out of the line. After opening the valve to the cottage a fast look around confirmed that there were no floods taking place. However, a little dripping sound in the shop area where the washing machine is located indicated a small problem. One of the connection hoses wouldn’t seat correctly and will need to be replaced. Well, I guess after 25 years some things will need to be replaced from time to time.

The new lake “toy” for this year is a second kayak. We enjoyed the first one last year and decided that two would be even more fun. While I like solo paddling, company can be great too! So, after getting the basics tended to around the cottage Shirley and I headed out for our first paddle with both the boats. Things went well for the first few minutes until Shirley’s new boat has a minor breakdown at sea. One of the rudder cables where it’s attached to the rudder decides to let go. It’s a stainless steel cable crimp that must have been defective. We manage to carry on with out the rudder, the way all good pro paddlers paddle anyway.

After a short loop around the bay, the clouds are rolling in and it’s not too warm in the first place, so it’s back to the dock. All in all a great first outing.

Oh yeah, I took the pictures with my Olympus SW790 waterproof camera. I’m looking forward to may more great shots from water level. While it may be waterproof, dropping it in 70′ of water could be a problem. I think I’ll hook up a tether to my PFD for subsequent trips. (More kayak photos).


Technorati Tags: kayak, lake, cottage

I think I’ll buy this.

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Today was the second ride of the year for me with the FOG cycling club. It went a lot better that the first ride. Today we did the full route of about 95km and I made it a lot farther that the first time before I thought I’d throw up and die on the side of the road. However, once we left Birds Hill park and were returning on Hwy 59 it was a real struggle. My speed drooped into the 20-25 kph range and all I could think about was making it back. Speaking of dropped, of course the rest of the group powered away, but a special thanks to Dan who hung with me, keeping me company all the way back despite several of my offers that he could just leave me.

The cycle commuting to work has defiantly helped, but there is still a ways to go before I’m back in the kind of shape I was in at the end of last season. These winter layoffs are killers. Note to self – more training in the off season.