Painting with the Stars

Norm comes each winter with a keen group of snowshoe and ski enthusiasts. They had hoped for a starry night, when we could all go out and check out the Big Dipper, Leo, Orion, and the rest of the dazzling night sky, but our nights were overcast.

The forecast rain, however, was kind enough to hold off, and they were able to get in plenty of action on the trails. There was just one afternoon when it was drizzly...

So, lacking stars in the sky, some of them opted to visit the Stars right here. Napster, that is, our now world famous tail-painting cat. Dorothy and Marjorie got right into the action, selecting the palate, and helping to hold the paint and the easel within easy reach.

Napster hasn't put tail to canvas since the new puppy, Taffy, invaded his house. He's been a little preoccupied with keeping his famous tail out of the puppy's mouth...

All the same, he whipped up a charming impression, which was immediately titled "Cardinals" by the ladies. Norm was here with camera in hand, so perhaps we'll have some photos later of the artist at work to add to this!

The rain soon stopped, and the cold weather and snow flurries returned, so we're in good shape going into the long weekend, with lots of families here to enjoy the holiday. Which kicks off, we remind you, with a Pancake Breakfast on Saturday, and goes all day long!

Little Bear, you should be Sleeping!

What is this??? Something you don't expect to see at this time of year!

That's a little bear, hanging out in a tree up towards Limberlost.

The date this was taken? Feb. 11.

That's not hibernating...

Obviously, something was up (other than the bear in the tree). Our friend Carolyn took this photo of their little visitor.

Named Billie Bear, because s/he lives close to that place, the little cub had the locals concerned for his/her well-being. Bears should be fast asleep in their hibernation this time of year. Especially little ones, like this, who shouldn't be out alone. This would be last year's cub...

The Aspdin Valley Wildlife Sanctuary arrived on the scene with a live trap. When it comes to bear rehabilitation, the AVWC allies with Bear With Us, the local bear rescue and rehabilitation centre. If anyone knows bears, it's Mike McIntosh and his volunteers at Bear with Us. both AVWS and BWU do astounding work with wildlife. If they could just get little Billie Bear into the trap, life would get much brighter for the little guy.

It took five days, but finally the little bear went into the trap. S/he is a . remarkably LITTLE bear (for this time of year)! The rescuers' guess was just 20 lbs. Obviously orphaned and desparate for food, the cub had nowhere to go, and just moved in to a yard near Carolyn's house.

Now in the right hands, Billie Bear has a chance to be re-nourished and grow - and be released into the wild this spring!

Napster, Cover Cat

Well, the Cat strikes again.

Napster was featured in The Accommodator, the magazine produced by the Ontario Accommodations Association.

Not just featured, with a two page spread, but he was honoured to be selected as the Cover Art.

He does have hotel connections (other than being the Bondi Village Resort resident artist, with his work hanging in some of our cottages), since he recently had a print go to a boutique hotel in Grenada...

Still, it's an honour. Almost makes up for the torment he's going through trying to train the new puppy...

Family Day and Carnivals

The Family Day weekend this year is almost on us. We have one cottage left: a four bedroom, ideal for up to 9 people.

This is the best time of year for the snowmobilers. All the local trails -- which are counted among the best in the country -- are open and groomed.

Same with our ski trails.

And down the road, at Dorset, the Snowball Winter Carnival is taking place. This has to be one of the best of the small town carnivals going. It kicks off Friday at 6 pm. with a Family Skating Party -- music, hot chocolate, hot dogs are all provided. Get the kids out there (and yourself too!)

Saturday starts with the Muskoka Shrine Club Hillbilly Pancake Breakfast.

From there, the action takes place throughout the village. There's a Drum Circle, with guided meditation at one end of town, the Puddlejumpers will be tearing up the lake with their high powered snowmobiles at the other, and in between will be sleigh rides with both horses and oxen. Old fashioned Snow Snake Games, kiddie Sleds, minnow races, a stone carving workshop -- it goes on and on! Truly, there's something there to catch everyone's interest! The full program is on the website.

All you need or admission is a Carnival Button for $3.00

Making new Friends

While puppy Taffy is in the process of discovering she can run, jump and climb, the Muskoka Agility Dogs came to the arena on Sunday. Some were away ski-joring with their people at Arrowhead Park, but there was still a big pile of dogs up there.

Matt is practicing with Katie for an agility trial later in the spring. We're not sure who did more running -- Matt or Katie.

Taffy proved to be a good distraction for some of the dogs, who find it hard to focus with any new dogs in the area, and she enjoyed making some new friends. But it did prove to be a busy day... puppies need to rest up!

It's been a lot of fun watching these dogs work this winter. They come again the second Sunday in March.

I Wanna Driva a Zamboni!

The Muskoka Agility Dogs come Sunday morning (second Sunday of the month) to use our indoor arena for training and camaraderie.

When they aren't here, the arena is used by horses, who tend to dig up the surface a little more than the Dog People enjoy. So before their arrival, we harrow the ring for them.

Our neighbour and friend Eric very kindly came over with his ATV to help pull the drag, because the vehicle we would use is currently unavailable. We've had to rely on Eric's good nature!

He whips round that ring with the drag like he's clearing the ice for the NHL!

The Agility Dogs tear up the ring in their own way, but they don't get into the footing the way a horse landing over a jump can! They have a blast up there.

Our own Future Agilty puppy Taffy is doing well -- she has already checked out the arena, watched snow slide off the roof, had a ride on the ATV with Eric, and another ride on the snowmobile with Brian.

Chicken Chucking -- an Olympic Demo Sport

Let us state right up front that NO CHICKENS WERE HARMED in the making of this post.

Last year in honour of the Vancouver Olympics, some of our guests created their own version of the games -- complete with biathlon, and chicken curling.

It was such a hit that the Chicken Curling returned this year -- along with the same squeaky chickens (who are lovingly placed in baggies while sliding on the ice through the goal posts!)

Taffy came with me to check out the chicken chucking (say that three times fast). It was her first excursion to the lake. Her first encounter with ice. Like Bambi on the 'stiff water', she found her legs going every which way, and finally took refuge in a lap.

The Curling Spectacular was followed by snowshoeing to the Lookout. That, however, lacked an element of adventure for this group, who then proceeded to "bush whack" a new trail, all their own, down from the mountain. That's one of the fun things about snowshoeing -- on a nice day, without a blizzard, you leave tracks that -- like a trail of breadcrumbs - will always bring you home, so you can boldly go where no snowshoe has gone before! With the exception of the lake. I did tell them not to go out there, because of the slush, but sometimes you just have to try for yourself. Two steps were enough -- back to shore! Knock the slush of the shoes. Carry on.

Brian recently measured 18" of slush out there. It's okay if you are on a snowmobile and a) you don't slow down, and b) nothing goes wrong. Which means the smart option is c) just don't go there. Packed trails are fine, and the snowmobile clubs maintain marked, packed trails.

Better yet, take snowshoes, and head off into the quiet of the forest, make your trails, make your own cheer.