There it was, hanging from the rafters at the back of the garage.  It was an old wood and canvas canoe.  It was a vintage Minto, in fact, built in the same classic design as the Peterborough.  I re... read more

Springtime can be a dangerous time. Not solely because spring is purported to be the season when “love is in the air,” though that remains a good reason to be on guard. No, what I mean is that thi... read more

It is the perfect place to isolate - at our island cottage on an ice-bound lake. It is a journey I have made before, a long time ago. This winter seemed the ideal time to repeat that winter's journe... read more

This was my dad and I read this story at his memorial service. He was such a big part of our cottage lore. He passed away on May 1, 2019 - and now I have taken up his familiar cottage greeting, shoute... read more

Move over Dear Abby, I decide to give some practical cottage advice. With apologies to the late John Prine (folk singer) and the late Dear Abby (advice columnist). “Dear Cottage Daze, Dear Cottage ... read more

Boats are a big part of cottage life, for the experiences they allow and the memories they create. Our arrival at the lake follows a long-practiced routine. I jump out at the resort where our eighty ... read more

An evening cruise up the lake with the whole family has become a cottage tradition. Often after dinner, on a pleasant summer’s night, we like to jump onto the pontoon boat and head out for an eveni... read more

I list the good, the bad and the ugly of doing a book reading at a busy downtown restaurant ... with a little help from Billy Joel's "The Piano Man." It's 9 o'clock on a Saturday... It’s two o’cl... read more

I wrote about my friend Danny Limburn, a Falkland Islander who visited my family often. This story was read at his funeral in 2018. Seems to me many of my stories are made into eulogies! We were neve... read more

I visit the Cottage Life Show in Toronto to get myself ready for the upcoming cottage season. Problem is, I have to hang around with my wife when I want to hang with the kids! Men never grow up. They... read more