By Francis Marion
We’ve been going to the same cottage a few times a year to ‘get away’ and spend time together since the kids were fairly young. In fact, my daughter caught her first fish standing on the dock in the picture above. Sadly, we left the cottage this morning under evacuation alert. A fire down the road had gotten out of Forestry’s control and while it wasn’t an imminent threat to our little oasis it was time to get out while the getting was good. So we cleaned up, locked the place down and took the long way home around the blaze.
It was a good week in spite of the threat. My parents came from two provinces away, my twenty year old son, now busy with a new career, made the four hour journey into the interior and so did some of my brother’s family. We had a typically wonderful time.
My dad and I were the first to rise each morning. We brewed coffee, chatted, read the news, walked the dog, watched the wildlife on the lake and in the yard and waited for the others to awaken.
As the women, teens and twenty somethings stirred we’d brew another pot. The smell of bacon, eggs and toast would eventually fill the house along with conversation and plans for the day.
A trip to town, shooting trap in the cut block across the lake, an afternoon on the dock and in the water with kayaks and paddle boards, dinner at the Iron Horse (a log cabin style pub down the road) or maybe we’d stay in and grill some elk burgers. Evening spent at the table overlooking the lake with a deck of cards or a set of dice. And stories. And tales. And laughter. Lots of laughter.
You know, good, simple things.
I think it’s easy, in dark times, to lose sight of what’s important. Of what is good. If I had to give the young people in my life who stayed with us this past week one bit of advice it would be this: see the darkness but don’t dwell in it.
As the world turns we go on living. The cottage and the dock we spend so much time on don’t belong to us but it’s become a part of our lives. They are etched forever into the collective memories of our children, our family and the friends we have brought there.
I pray it stands. I pray it weathers this storm. Not just for me and mine but for the small handful of other families who sleep in it’s beds, cook in its kitchen and sit on its dock.
I pray all of it stands, for the sake of those who value good and simple things.
Sounds wonderful!….Canada still has a lot of uncrowded wide open spaces, as my family can attest from our canoe trips up there….Too bad your government wants to replace you with foreigners…..
good and simplr times , how refreshing.
The foreigners don’t want the life that Canadians and Americans have enjoyed for 200 years.
Thank you Francis for this wonderful story about what is important in life. Since our parents died 20 years ago, my sisters, BIL and us all try to gather every year or two and spend 2 or 3 days reminiscing about our childhood, telling stories about our grand-children and generally just enjoying each others company. We always leave refreshed with promises to do it again, sooner, rather than later.
Thanks for sharing that feel good story Francis. We were fortunate this year to spend much time among family playing cards, laughing, and sharing stories. At the end of August we travel to Alaska to see our son. Never been so that should be nice.
We had fires a plenty the last month here. Yesterday the rains came in Earnest and look to be hanging around for the foreseeable future.
With all the gloomy prominence of the times its nice, once and awhile to reflect on the good.
I was going to ask if the property has giraffes to hunt and murder. But, I won’ do so. Why? Because you wrote a beautiful story, and it wouldn’t be appropriate.
Your advice — “see the darkness but don’t dwell in it” — is pure gold.
Forgive me for posting a Bible verse. But, I have about 10 of them that bounce around in my head a lot. Really. One of my favorites relates to what you wrote;
“Whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsover things are of good report … think on these things.”
Which really goes well with “As a man thinks in his heart, so is he.” What we dwell on has enormous influence on what we become. Tell this to the young people in your life often.
Philippians 4:8 – that’s a great quote.
I conclude that you can tell young people things (and tell them often) but by and large (although some stuff sinks in) they need to learn these things for themselves.
Sometimes I talk just so that somewhere down the road I can say “I told you so.”
My Dad was a pro at that.
True for everyone—talk doesn’t have the same impact as doing…
i learned a long time ago,there is no substitute for experience.
Thanks for sharing Francis. Another great ray of hope from TBP. God bless… Chip
Camp is good. I live there.
Summer people like horseflies, blackflies and skeeters are transient, a nuisance.
Some want to live at camp, live the dream.
But the bitter cold winter, long dangerous roads to nowhere, lack of opportunity, read that no jobs, bad government and high cost of living deter most eventually.
Need to move further back from the road.
Thanks for this Francis. My parents have a nice little lakeside cottage near Gracefield. Que. They are now 87 and 91 years of age. Although they are still independent (living together, NOT in a LTC facility, thank God), they are no longer able to do any maintenance, cleaning or upkeep on the cottage, so my wife and I now fulfill that role for them. It gives both us and them great joy, that we can collectively enjoy the “good, simple things” you just described in a beautiful sanctuary away from the madness. it also gives them peace of mind that we are able to extend their enjoyment of the property well into their later years. Family is, indeed, the most important thing.
Amen! I’m feeling the need to get away from the madness and what you described is perfect and very Stoic. Enjoy the moment in the environment you can control and don’t worry about what you can’t control. Me and my son are heading to North Park soon to a place where my family has been going for four generations to forget about the world.
Sounds like a place in Canada. I would be more worried that your country will not weather the storm that is coming and less about the cabin you may never be ALLOWED to visit again.
Canada is a sailing ship without a mast adrift in a stormy sea of change and chaos. The country may or may not survive, but the people will. My suspicion is that (by necessity) it will go wherever the US goes. The tail doesn’t wag the dog.
As for ‘allowed’ we’ve never worried too much about words like that. Over the past 18 months or so we’ve done what we pleased when we pleased. Our governments, by and large, are paper tigers. If you have the spine and the means you can simply ignore them. That’s easier to do here than many realize.
It really is. Reminiscent of the Jedi mind-trick.
You sound really centered despite the widening gyre. Your family is fortunate to have you at the helm.
My wife has been something of a rock through much of this. She’s level headed and sniffs out bullshit easily. So it’s been a team effort, that’s for sure. For us, this entire experience has brought us closer together and forced us to focus on what is important.
If everyone has your attitude, it will work…
Agree wholeheartedly. Even my 87 year old mom was all-in with “illegal” provincial border crossings. She even had an excuse ready, should the Gestapo dare stop them and ask her.
Well done and moving.
Down here in the boons of Argentina, my ally (village pharmacist) and I were alone in the pharmacy, as is often the case if it’s early. Neither of us is masked until a customer shows up (masks are required in shops). This morning, we’re chatting away and the macarena comes on the radio. I talk her out from behind the counter and we start dancing (unmasked!), visible to passers-by. Then the cop car pulls up across the road. “Ay!” she moans, covering her eyes with her hand, but still dancing. Cops–one female (the driver) and one male, both masked, get out and both look our way. Female cop shakes her head, waves and starts walking down the road to somewhere. Male cop watches my pal, a very pretty woman, good dancer. Gives the thumb-up sign and follows his partner. This too is how life should be lived, think I.
“…see the darkness but don’t dwell in it.”
A beautiful story simply told.
I loved loved loved this story, it lifted my spirits. And the pictures….what a beautiful place. We did that kind of thing when I was young. Sadly most of the people have passed on now. It’s wonderful that you share yourself, your knowledge and experience, with younger relatives. You have them, they have you, and long may it continue.
I hope you and your family are well and safe.
Your mention of another forest fire in BC reminded of a video I saw recently discussing the recent Lytton, BC fire.
I tried to post this. Listen to the first 10 minutes.
I really worry about Canada, even more than the US right now.
Speak to this…
Lovely!
I am grateful for the post, FM. It was a pleasure to read.
You wrote:
Actually, that’s one of the reasons I haven’t been posting much of late. I see quite a bit and have a lot to say but, unfortunately, not much of it is good and I’ve said most of it already anyway.
My family, too, has various places we like to visit. The get-a-ways may range from moderately luxurious to rustic. Either way, it is great to do normal, day-to-day activities in a different place – and while all together; things like preparing meals or conversing around a table. And, then, there are the other moments… like under the stars at night, or out on the open water, or sitting around a fire, playing cards, or finding some live music in a strange venue.
I am reminded of the Walt Whitman quote: “We were together. I forget the rest.”
And, regarding the Canadian wildfires, they must be a big deal because the atmospheric smoke has augmented the sunsets greatly around here.
Thank you again for the article.
Well. Mr. Uncola, then write about something that is NOT dark!! A hobby of yours, a review of an interesting book you read, a dream you had, etc etc You have a LOT more to say about stuff … and we want to hear it! That’s the truff.
The title of your next article — you haven’t started yet?? — should have all “Z”s in it, or mostly Z’s.
That’s not a bad idea, Stuck. I do run into interesting circumstances daily.
So I’ll definitely take what you said into consideration (as always)
I’ve missed your posts recently, Doug, and I have been here since 2010 or so. They are among my favorites. Please write a monthly column on your favorite books or something.
I’ve been here just as long. Don’t recall any “Svarga Loka” from the early days. You must have had a different moniker.
It’s Billy!
“Actually, that’s one of the reasons I haven’t been posting much of late. I see quite a bit and have a lot to say but, unfortunately, not much of it is good and I’ve said most of it already anyway.” Doug
I think the last time I wrote anything of note was in 2017/18. After that I hung out on Twitter and lurked here. I’d spit out the occasional comment on TBP or post an article just so that Jim wouldn’t think I croaked.
Truth is I’ve been going through the same process (if you can call it that). I thought at first I just needed a few months to redirect my thoughts. Turns out I needed a few years.
But I’m getting some clarity and refocussing. I’m hoping I’ll be able to write more. And soon.
A new world is dawning. And I am invigorated. For now, I’ll leave it at that.
Always enjoy your posts. Am a fan. Still think your “City of the Dead” would make a good novel. And remember when your Francis Mario “Snowflake” article garnered hundreds of thousands of views on ZH? That was awesome
I thought about starting to write the City of Dead series again. I might pick that up again shortly but I want to go back through the originals and put them into their own blog format. Soon. With all of it.
Beautiful.
“see the darkness but don’t dwell in it.”
Very…Tolkien-esque. And that’s a HUGE compliment. Huge.
I’ll take it. Thanks.
“see the darkness but don’t dwell in it.” And you call me the little ray of sunshine? That’s a great quote. But this is a better one. “Our governments, by and large, are paper tigers. If you have the spine and the means you can simply ignore them. That’s easier to do here than many realize.” Especially if you turn off the TV. Our governance here has been good. We are almost to one year of being wide open. Fucking crazy that the rest of the anglosphere it’s still basically locked down. It’s going to take some hard men to fix things. If it became necessary, Francis, I have no doubt you would handle your business. There are some others here, same thing. But it won’t be us. But this is a zero-sum game. Somebody wins, somebody loses. Get ready. It’s coming
Star, we are going to win but it is going to be messier than the ‘Qists’ would like to admit. I know fear and panic when I see it because I’ve experienced it myself (haven’t we all at some stage in our lives??).
Regarding lockdowns, much of it is an illusion now.
Our neck of the woods CANCELLED THE EMERGENCY ORDER that generated them weeks ago. There are no restrictions here of any sort (just ‘recommendations’). The fearful are ranging angry over it. The media refuses to report it.
A host of lawsuits over the lockdowns are mounting in several provinces. This may be why many of the provincial emergency orders have been cancelled. They are hoping to go to court and say ‘there is no order’ and see the lawsuits thrown out. I doubt it will work but it depends on how corrupt our courts are.
The media is noticeably divided over the issue. They are priming us for more orders but are reporting what the BC gov’t wants which is that cases and deaths have fallen off a cliff due to ‘vaccinations’. It’s interesting to watch.
They may try to reinstate those orders in the fall but we’ll see. Lockdowns have DECIMATED provincial tax revenue. The government is probably wondering how it will pay it’s employees, fight fires, pave roads etc. at this stage. I don’t think they have much of an appetite for more of the same since, unlike the federal goobermint, they can’t just constantly borrow with zero accountability.
If they do try it I suspect they will be met with MASSIVE opposition here. More people have died of drug overdoses here than Covid in the past 18 months and many are catching on. My guess is the province would like things to ‘go back to normal’ as quickly as possible and that we’ll all forget about what transpired here over the past little while.
Not. Going. To. Happen.
Yeah I agree with you on all that. It’s going to be messy, and we will win. https://www.theglobeandmail.com/amp/canada/british-columbia/article-british-columbia-to-provide-regulated-substances-under-safe-supply/?__twitter_impression=true
SEE THE DARKNESS AND CHANGE IT.
Yes Sir! Keep shining the light of reality upon the darkness of lies. There can be only one.
OMG, that dock and pond look like the waterfront on my NH pond and camp. Prayers sent that it is saved. It is my happy place.
One of these days I’ll make it out there to visit you and HSF. We can sit at the pond watch the world turn.
good article,keep it up & write some more–
About an hour ago I was sitting by my mom’s bed. Just sitting there, keeping her company because she’s so lonely. It’s my cabin by the woods.
And listening to her.
She was rambling on about something she read in the Star Ledger that day … about those trips to space for tourists.
And she asked a bazillion questions, like a child would. How big is space? What makes the sun burn? Why doesn’t it run out of gasoline? Yeah, gasoline. We even played a name-the-9-planets game. She got about half of them. I could only name eight. I had to go on the computer to see which one I missed. Oh yeah … Uranus!! Pissed me off. Don’t let it bother you, said mom, no one cares about your anus. Really. Yeah, I get my humor from her.
Where did the stars come from when there was nothing to begin with? I started to tell her about the Big Bang. That only led to more questions. In an attempt to change the conversation I said — “Maybe God created the planets.” And I quoted Genesis 1:1.
Then she started to talk about God. She’s not a religious person. But, she had a religious upbringing in her childhood. She rambled. I listened. Then she told me she used to say the “Unsere Vater” (Our Father) every night before bedtime. I asked her to say it for me. in German. She only remembered the first half.
So, I went downstairs and wrote the whole thing out in German. (Thank God for computers.)
Went back upstairs to give it to her. She read it to herself. Then looked at me and whispered, with tears in her eyes, “Danke, Niklaus”. She said she was going to think about the Lord’s Prayer while falling asleep, instead of space and stuff. I kissed her forehead and said “Gute Nacht”.
And now I’m a bit afraid.
What if God prompted her to recall the Lords Prayer, and for me to write it out, and for her to meditate on it … because he’s going to take her home tonight??
I am not going to sleep well tonight.
stucky,
you’re posting this morning so i assume that mom made it thru the night–
however,if she had gone home last night after spending time w/her son & reconnecting w/god,as sad as it is 4 you who are left behind,maybe she was ready–
my mom is constantly screwing up her phone & after a couple of hours of constant busy signals or constant ringing w/o being picked up,i go over to her house–every single time i walk into the house under those circumstances i am wondering,will this be the time i find her dead?
all we can do is make sure they know we love them–
“Forgive me for posting a Bible verse. ”
Do not ask forgiveness for a blessing, especially when it is sorely needed.
“God Bless America” is asking Him to turn us from our sins. Anyone offended by that is part of what got us here.