Warm Memories

Last weekend we enjoyed sitting around after dinner at the beach, snuggled up to a bonfire.

All year long, we collect fuel for the bonfires. After all, we hold at least one a week throughout the summer with our guests, and that can go through a lot of wood. 

Summer's end brought with it the annual checking and repairing of old Muskoka chairs -- sometimes they are just past their 'best before' date, and really cannot be made good for the next season.  Brian is very clever at building chairs, and we'd rather have some of his newly crafted chairs than risk the ones that have seen better days.  These two were faithful servants for many years, but their time was up.

Dave and Mike placed them with great ceremony. And then, since the evening was cool, decided to check out just how hot the Hot Seat was.

Of course, some fireworks came out for the festivities. At one point Brian even brought out the ski boat, and took some of us for a slow cruise around the Island.  The boys joking suggestion of a midnight waterski was gently crushed -- really, really BAD idea. They agreed. Speed and dark lakes are not a safe mixture. Sometimes there really are reasons for the Rules, folks. Still, the thought is fun to dream. Sort of like the tall tales told by the firelight.

Taffy went all around the circle, greeting and mingling, but finally came back to Nancy and curled up in her lap, while we sang silly campfire songs and told tales.

It is times like these that make memories for Life.

Many thanks to Sarah, for sending along the photographs.  I think that one of the burning chairs is brilliant!  Talk about "summer's end!"