James’ Journal

Welcome to my blog.
This is where I write about the cottage, and write about my travels. I just write, because that is what I do.

My Friend Danny

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

Cottage Dreaming at the Cottage Life Show

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

Cottage Prepping

Things get out-of-hand at a simple wine tasting festival. No fault of my own, of course, I blame it on the wine! It always seems in early Spring that my wife and I get restless. It is the drawback of... Read More

Remember When

Sitting around reminiscing about the fun family times we have had. Raising kids can be a whirlwind, that goes by far too quickly. “Remember when the sound of little feet, was the music we danced to... Read More

Happy Making Waves

I always enjoy seeing two motorcycles passing each other on the highway or on a winding cottage road, the way the drivers give each other that two-fingered side wave.  It is a very cool gesture; calm... Read More

A Canada Day Beaver Tale

A friend of mine was attacked by a beaver.  Now, don’t laugh, it’s true.  He told us so himself.  We were at the cottage and there were a few of us, outdoor types, sitting around the campfire e... Read More

Cottage Workshop – Building a Squirrel-proof Bird Feeder

I have built the ultimate squirrel-proof bird feeder.  I have defeated my arch-nemesis, Chirpy.  Finally, in the end, I have won our on-going battle.  I am victorious! I know what you’re think... Read More

THE MEXICAN MARIGOLD HOTEL

When we left our taxi and walked through the front archway to our beachfront condo at the Costa Dorado in Bucerias, I felt like I had stumbled into some kind of Mexican Marigold Hotel.  We were greet... Read More

To Fetch a Pail of Water

It was snowing when we opened the cottage on the long weekend in May.  Now, while it was not exactly snowing when we came to close the place, it was far from warm summer weather.  Things were so bus... Read More

The Long Weekend – Finally

Though spring was officially here on the 20th of March, we spent the month of April waiting on it.  It was dawdling along, slow and teasing; but still it came, measure by measure and blossom by b... Read More