Food and Antiques are part and parcel of antiquing; Frank Johnston illustrated card from Frank Miller

My Photograph for the Bracebridge Herald Gazette of Frank Miller Muskoka MPP, during the Provincial Election of the late 1980's. The marquee on the Norwood Theatre reads Welcome to Miller's Ontario

The famous Bamford's Store on Toronto Street in Bracebridge I have written about in these blogs. The picture ran in a 1970's edition of the Bracebridge Herald Gazette as submitted by Thatcher's Studio

The BMLSS England band of 1974 taken at the Nottingham Civic Hall. John Rutherford, the Conductor is on the right side of the picture waving at the photographer. I am at the back in area of the tuba.

THE LIGHTER SIDE OF COLLECTING STUFF - THE FOOD THAT GOES ALONG WITH ANTIQUE HUNTING

IT'S PART OF THE EXPERIENCE OF TOURING-ABOUT

     WHEN I BEGAN ATTENDING AUCTIONS, AS PART OF THE SALE TRADITION, THE FIRST MISSION AFTER REGISTERING FOR MY BIDDING NUMBER, WAS TO GET A HOT DOG AND POP FROM THE FOOD SERVICES TRUCK; FOLLOWED BY A BUTTER TART AND COFFEE. THAT WAS THE SAME AS WHEN I WAS A RINK RAT AT THE BRACEBRIDGE ARENA. AFTER SHOVELLING THE ICE WITH MY MATES, FOR MANAGER DOUG SMITH, WE HEADED TO THE SNACK BAR TO GET OUR HOT DOG AND REFRESHMENT. THE SAME AT A HOCKEY GAME, OR ANTIQUE SHOW. MY COMFORT ZONE HAS ALWAYS BEEN THE AVAILABILITY OF FOOD. I ENJOY A BALL GAME OR ANTIQUE SHOW AND SALE BETTER, IF I LIKE THE FOOD BEING OFFERED AT THE CONCESSION BOOTH. I WILL THINK NEGATIVELY OF ANY VENUE LIKE THAT, IF THE FOOD ISN'T UP TO SNUFF. I'M NOT A FOODIE, BECAUSE I THINK ONLY IN TERMS OF COMFORT; AND A HOT DOG, GRILLED CHEESE, OR HAMBURGER IS MY CHOICE OF RECREATION. CALL ME OLD FASHION, AND A GUY LOOKING FOR A HEART ATTACK, BUT I'VE GROWN UP THIS WAY.
    MY DAD WOULD TAKE ME TO FLAMBORO SPEEDWAY, FOR EVENING RACES, AND HE'D BUY ME TRAYS OF HOT FOOD TO CARRY TO THE BLEACHERS. SPECIAL EVENTS HAVE ALWAYS HAD A FOOD QUANTITY AND QUALITY, I'VE ADHERED FOR SO MANY YEARS AND INCHES TO MY WAIST. EVEN AT THE TWICE YEARLY BARRIE AUTOMOTIVE FLEA MARKET, I REFUSE TO PARTICIPATE, UNLESS I'M ENTITLED TO FRIES AND HOT DOGS, AFTER SO MANY MILES TRAVELLED. THEN THERE'S THE CARAMEL CORN. I EAT ON THE GO. NOW, FOR THE RECORD, I'M NOT AS BIG AS OUR VAN IS WIDE. BUT I'M OVER-WEIGHT, SO WHEN SUZANNE MAKES COMMENT ABOUT MY GIRTH BEING UNHEALTHY, I HAVE NOTHING TO OFFER TO THE CONTRARY. SO SHE BELIEVES THAT WE CAN STILL HAVE OUR TREATS, WHILE OUT ON THE HUSTINGS, BUT JUST NOT TO EXCESS. THIS "EXCESS" THING, REFERS TO MY PRESENT WEIGHT, VERSUS MY OPTIMUM WEIGHT, WHICH SHOULD BE AROUND A HUNDRED AND SIXTY POUNDS. I WAS THAT WEIGHT FOR TEN MINUTES BACK WHEN I WAS EIGHTEEN. SO CLEARLY, THE MISSION WILL BE A TOUGH ONE. I SUPPOSE IT'S THE CASE SUZANNE WANTS TO SAVE MY LIFE, SO I OWE IT TO HER TO PAY ATTENTION. I JUST LOVE FOOD SO DARN MUCH.
     I USED TO MODEL OUR FAMILY'S ANTIQUE HUNTING JAUNTS, AT LEAST IN THE EARLY YEARS, AFTER THE LEGENDARY MOTOR TRIPS TAKEN BY ACTOR / COMEDIAN, W.C. FIELD'S. ALL-INCLUSIVE, ULTRA EXTRAVAGANT ROAD TRIPS, WITH ENOUGH DINING PROVISIONS, TO LAST A WEEK "OUT AND ABOUT". PRONE TO PERIODS OF DEPRESSION, IN PART DUE TO EXCESSIVE DRINKING BOUTS, FIELDS FOUND THAT LONG MOTOR TRIPS, WITH PLENTY OF FOOD AND BEVERAGE, AND SOME WILLING PARTNERS, WAS JUST THE TICKET TO END HIS FUNK. HE WOULD GET HIS LUXURY CAR LOADED WITH EXOTIC AND EXTRAVAGANT FOODS, IN ALL TYPES OF BASKETS AND BOXES, WITH A WIDE ARRAY OF PICNIC AIDS, TO FACILITATE GREAT GADSBY-LIKE PARTIES, IN PASTURES AND PARKLANDS ALONG HIS DESIRED ROUTE. THE CAR WOULD HAVE NUMEROUS PASSENGERS, AND WHEN ONE LEFT IN THAT GREAT AUTOMOBILE, THERE WAS NO TELLING WHEN THE TOUR WOULD END. THEY WOULD STAY IN HOTELS THAT INSPIRED THEM, AND TRAVEL WITH NO REAL IDEA OF DESTINATION, OTHER THAN WHEN THE MONEY RAN OUT, OR THE RIGORS OF THE TRIP EXHAUSTED THE TRAVELLERS. WHILE WE DIDN'T HAUL ALONG BOOZE, FOR THOSE ROADSIDE PICNICS, WE DID PACK A LOT OF PICNIC SUPPLIES, AND BASIC FOOD ITEMS. SOMETIMES, ON AN ANTIQUE OUTING, WE WOULD STOP TWO OR THREE TIMES TO HAVE A LUNCH AND TREATS. MOSTLY, IT WAS TO ALLOW THE BOYS TO PLAY IN THE PARKS AND AT REGIONAL BEACHES WE HAPPENED TO PASS, ON OUR MEANDERING TRAVELS THROUGH MUSKOKA.
     AS TRADITION FOR SUZANNE AND I, EVEN TODAY, FOOD IS JUST AS IMPORTANT TO THE ANTIQUE JOURNEY, AS IT WAS THEN; AND EQUALLY IMPORTANT TO THE SUCCESSFUL BALANCE, OF OUR ANTIQUE AND COLLECTABLE PURCHASES. WE PURCHASE FIRST AND EAT LATER. WE HAVE NEVER GONE ON ONE OF THESE HUNT AND GATHER ADVENTURES, WITHOUT THE FOOD COMPONENT. I LIKE THE ANTIQUE HUNTING THING, BUT I MUST BE FED. IN THE EARLY YEARS OF OUR BUSINESS, WE TRAVELLED TO THE ST. JACOBS AREA FREQUENTLY, BECAUSE WE REALLY LIKED THE VILLAGE'S SETTING, AND THE ANTIQUE BUYING OPPORTUNITIES. WE LOVED TO VISIT THE ST. JACOBS MARKET, AND SUMMER SAUSAGE WAS ALWAYS THE TREAT OF THE DAY. WE'D BUY A LOT OF FOOD FROM THE MARKET, AND THEN ON THE WAY HOME, WE'D STOP AND ENJOY THE LOCAL FARE. JUST LIKE W.C. FIELDS, WE'D HAVE ALL THE NECESSARY BITS AND PIECES TO LAY OUT A REALLY NICE PICNIC, WITH TABLE AND CHAIRS, AND OH THE WONDERFUL FOOD. WE'D OFTEN STOP AT FARMS THAT WERE ADVERTISING FRESH BAKED PIES, MAPLE SYRUP, HONEY, SUMMER SAUSAGE, GARDEN PRODUCE AND ON THE MATERIAL SIDE, WHENEVER THERE WAS A POSTED SIGN THAT THERE WERE MENNONITE QUILTS FOR SALE. AT THIS TIME, WE DIDN'T HAVE A LOT OF MONEY, SO WE PREFERRED BUYING INDIVIDUAL ITEMS TO DINE ON, (PLUS WHAT WE BROUGHT FROM HOME), INSTEAD OF HAVING OUR MEALS AT LOCAL RESTAURANTS. IT'S NOT THAT WE DON'T EAT IN THESE FINE ESTABLISHMENTS, JUST THAT IN THOSE DAYS WE HAD TO ECONOMIZE; AND THE BOYS WERE BAD ACTORS AT TIMES, AND WE DIDN'T WANT TO SPOIL THE DINING PLEASURE FOR OTHERS. WE'VE DINED-OUT AND HAD PICNICS IN THIS REGION, AND MANY REGION BEYOND. IT HAS BECOME SO INGRAINED WITH OUR ANTIQUE PROFESSION, THAT IT WOULDN'T BE THE SAME WITHOUT THESE PLEASURABLE HIATUS PERIODS ALONG THE WAY.
     "I CAN OUT-EAT ANYBODY WHO EVER LIVED ON THIS WHOLE ENTIRE EARTH. BUT MOST GUYS WHO CHALLENGE ME, THEY WANT TO PLAY ON THEIR OWN TABLE, LIKE SPAGHETTI OR BANANAS. KNOW WHAT I MEAN?" WHILE I MIGHT HAVE UTTERED THIS STATEMENT, AT TIMES IN MY LIFE, I AM NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS QUOTE. BELIEVE IT OR NOT, THIS STATEMENT CAME FROM THE LIPS OF NONE OTHER THAN CHAMPION POOL HUSTLER, MINNESOTA FATS, DURING AN INTERVIEW ONCE, WITH TORONTO COLUMNIST, PAUL RIMSTEAD. THAT'S RIGHT. MINNESOTA FATS MADE A LOT OF MONEY, BEYOND HIS HANDIWORK ON THE POOL TABLE, IN EATING COMPETITIONS. THERE HAVE BEEN OCCASIONS WHEN I HAVE FELT LIKE W.C. FIELDS, AND MINNESOTA FATS, WHEN IT CAME TO MY LOVE FOR FOOD, AND LOTS OF IT! THE FACT THAT IT HAS BEEN PART OF MY PROFESSION, IN THE ANTIQUE TRADE, HAS CERTAINLY MADE IT DIFFICULT TO UPHOLD TRADITION. WITHOUT THE FOOD COMPONENT, I'VE BEEN WHITTLED DOWN TO A HALF COLLECTOR. I TOLD SUZANNE THIS, WHEN SHE PUT US ON DIETS THIS WINTER. THE SPRING SEASON, FOR ANTIQUE BUSINESSES IN A SEASONAL ECONOMY, MEANS WE HAVE TO DOUBLE-TIME OUR EFFORTS TO ACQUIRE NEW SUMMER-SEASON INVENTORY. IT'S NOT THAT WE DON'T HUSTLE IN THE WINTER AS WELL, BUT NOT WITH THE ZEAL OF THE APRIL TO JULY PERIOD, WHICH IS ALWAYS INTENSE; ESPECIALLY IF WE'VE GOT ANY REFINISHING OR REPAIRS TO WORK ON, TO GET INVENTORY READY TO GO, FOR THE CRAZY TOURIST SEASON. THAT'S A STORY FOR ANOTHER DAY. THE PROBLEM HERE, AND NOW, IS THAT SUZANNE HAS INTRODUCED CARROT STICKS AND CELERY WHERE NEW YORK FRIES USED TO BE, AND FRANKLY, I MISS THOSE TOO; THE "BALL PARK FRANKS" I ADORE, FULLY LOADED. I'M SORRY. VEGGIE STICKS ARE NOT WORTHY SUBSTITUTES FOR GLORIOUS SANDWICHES AND STEAMING HOT FRIES WITH GRAVY.
     SO HERE'S THE TRIP-UP FOR A TRADITIONALIST LIKE ME. I'M A MUCH BETTER ANTIQUE HUNTER, WHEN I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO A FOOD TREAT AS A REWARD FOR MY EFFORTS. I WAS THE SAME IN SPORTS. I HATED PLAYING GOAL, IN MINOR HOCKEY, AND THE ONLY THING THAT GOT ME THROUGH A GAME, WAS KNOWING MY MOTHER WOULD HAVE MADE ME A HONKING BIG LUNCH AT HOME. OR, IF WE HAD ANY MONEY IN THE FAMILY COFFERS, MERLE MIGHT HAVE TAKEN ME OVER TO THE DAIRY BAR IN BRACEBRIDGE, FOR A HOT CHOCOLATE AND A PLATE OF THICK FRIES. I DO THE SAME WITH WRITING. IT'S A FEW MINUTES AFTER NOON, AND I KNOW THERE'S SOME HOMEMADE SOUP IN THE FRIDGE HERE AT THE STORE. WHILE I LIKE YOU FOLKS A LOT, RIGHT NOW, ALL I'M THINKING ABOUT IS GETTING THAT HOT BOWL OF SOUP IN MY HANDS, WITH A DOZEN CRACKERS ON THE SIDE, AND REWARDING MYSELF FOR A MORNING'S LABOUR WELL SPENT. THE GLITCH IS, THAT SUZANNE HAS CUT MY SOUP PORTION IN HALF, AND TAKEN HALF MY CRACKERS AWAY, AND EVEN MY BEVERAGE IS A GLASS OF WATER, INSTEAD OF ANYTHING WITH SUGAR CONTENT. SHE'S DOING THE SAME HERSELF, SO IT'S NOT LIKE I'VE BEEN SINGLED OUT HERE FOR BEING OVER-WEIGHT. SHE'S LOST MORE WEIGHT THAN ME, BECAUSE, IN HER WORDS, "I DOESN'T CHEAT." SHE HAS PROOF THAT I'VE BEEN STEALING FOOD WHEN SHE'S NOT LOOKING. I HAVE BEEN KNOWN TO LEAVE A SUBSTANTIAL CRUMB TRAIL. "I CAN'T STOP ROBERT FROM BUYING BARBECUE CHIPS CAN I?" "NO, BUT YOU DON'T HAVE TO PUT YOUR FACE IN THE BAG, DO YOU," SHE QUIPS, WHILE HANDING ME FIVE OF SIX CRACKERS I'M ENTITLED, FORCING ME TO GRAB THE SLEEVE OUT OF HER HANDS. "IT'S FOR YOU OWN GOOD," SHE ANNOUNCES, FOR ANYONE IN THE SHOP TO HEAR; AND TO SOME PASSING BY THE DOOR, IT MAY SEEM SHE HAS CUT ME OFF BOOZE OR GOLF PRIVILEGES, WHEN ALL I WANT IS AN EXTRA CRACKER.
     SO NOW WHEN WE GO OUT ON OUR ANTIQUE HUNTING ADVENTURES, I HAVE HAD TO GREATLY MODIFY MY FOOD EXPECTATIONS. THIS IS A HORROR UNFOLDING, BECAUSE I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN ON THE "SEE FOOD" AND "EAT IT" DIET. ONCE, BECAUSE OLD DOC. EATON, ORDERED ME TO LOSE WEIGHT, I DECIDED THAT IT WAS BETTER TO BECOME A LONG DISTANCE RUNNER INSTEAD OF A MISERABLE DIETER. LOSING WEIGHT BY EXERCISE, WITHOUT HAVING TO STARVE MYSELF IN THE PROCESS OF GUT REDUCTION. IT ACTUALLY WORKED. I BECAME SKINNY. I WAS RUNNING TEN KILOMETRES THREE OUT OF SEVEN NIGHTS, THAT I USED TO JOG, UP AND DOWN, THROUGH THE NEIGHBORHOOD STREETS OF BRACEBRIDGE. THEN I'D COME HOME AND EAT, VERY WELL INDEED. "WELL," MEANING QUANTITY NOT QUALITY. IT'S WHEN SUZANNE LURED ME INTO HER LAIR WITH HER MAGNIFICENT, JUICEY THIGHS. THAT'S RIGHT. TOPPED WITH LEMON. GADS, I WAS IN HEAVEN. I'M REFERRING OF COURSE, TO HER PREPARATION OF "LEMON CHICKEN." AT THE TIME, AS A SINGLE CHAP, I HAD RESORTED, ON AN EDITOR'S SALARY, TO SPENDING A BULK OF MY PAY, AFTER RENT AND UTILITIES, ON BOOZE, AND EATING CHIP SANDWICHES FOR DINNER. I WOULD DRIP OYSTER SAUCE ON THE CHIPS FIRST. YUP, WHEN SUZANNE OPENED HER APARTMENT DOOR, AND THE SCENT OF CHICKEN GOT LOOSE, I WAS IN LOVE. I LOVED THE CHEF SO MUCH, I MARRIED HER. AS SUZANNE DOESN'T READ MY BLOGS, PLEASE DON'T DIRECT HER ATTENTION TO THIS ONE TODAY. SHE'S A GOOD SPORT BUT SHE HATES IT WHEN I USE HER NAME EXCESSIVELY. IT'S GOOD SHE DOESN'T READ THIS STUFF. OR I MIGHT HAVE TO BEG SOMEWHERE ELSE TO LIVE.
     WE'VE BEEN ON SHORT-LIVED DIETS BEFORE, AND SURVIVED WITHOUT TOO MUCH FUSS OR DISCOMFORT. WE USUALLY HIT OUR TARGET, BUT AS THE WORLD TURNS, SO DO WE IN TERMS OF FLUCTUATING COMMITMENT. SINCE SUZANNE'S RETIREMENT, AND WITH OUR NEW OBLIGATIONS AT THE ANTIQUE SHOP, BEING OCCUPIED WITH WORK SEVEN DAYS A WEEK NOW, WE HAVE ALSO BEEN TRYING TO PARE DOWN OUR MENU, TO BECOME EVER SO SLIGHTLY VEGETARIAN. WE CALL IT OUR "WORK-THROUGH-DINNER DIET." ON QUITE A FEW SUMMER DAYS, WE OFTEN MISS LUNCHES BECAUSE OF STORE TRAFFIC. I WANT TO CRY, I GET SO HUNGRY AND DEMORALIZED. SO I MAKE UP FOR IT BY SNACKING WHEREVER I CAN FIND A FOOD SOURCE. SO DON'T SET DOWN YOUR BAG OF POPCORN IN OUR SHOP, OR IT WAS BE GONE WHEN YOU GET BACK. NOW MY FAMILY IS HIDING FOOD FROM ME. NICE PEOPLE EH? HAVE WE CURRIES BECOME VEGETARIAN? NOT A TOTAL COMMITMENT BUT CLOSE. ROBERT IS EATING SEAWEED AND KELP CHIPS, WHICH BRINGS UP BAD MEMORIES OF SWIMMING IN LAKE ONTARIO. WHICH IS GOOD FOR THE FOOD BUDGET BECAUSE MEAT TODAY HAS BECOME A LUXURY FOR THE RICH. WE'VE GOT MORE MONEY IN THE FAMILY COFFERS BUT I'M HUNGRY.
    BOTH SUZANNE AND I HAVE COMPLAINED FOR YEARS ABOUT NEEDING TO LOSE MORE WEIGHT, FOR A HAPPIER, HEALTHIER RETIREMENT. SEEING AS I WILL NEVER RETIRE BY CHOICE, I'LL PROBABLY END UP DIEING BENEATH A TOPPLED PINE CUPBOARD, A TOPPLED, BUSTY MANIQUINN, OR HOOSIER CABINET; POSSIBLY COLLAPSING OVER THIS KEYBOARD, WHILE TRYING, AT GREAT LENGthS, TO FIND AN ADJECTIVE LEFT IN THE DICTIONARY, THAT I HAVEN'T TRAMPLED INTO OBLIVION. SUZANNE TELLS ME ALL THE TIME, THAT I'M AKIN TO A BEAST, OR IS THAT "OBESE", AND THAT I WILL DIE A HORRIBLE DEATH, IF I KEEPING ON EATING SO MUCH BEYOND WHAT IS PROPORTIONAL TO MY NEEDS. THAT'S HER SLIDING SCALE, NOT MINE. I NEED FOOD. THAT'S THE SKINNY ON THE ISSUE, IN AN EMPTY NUTSHELL. THERE WAS A TIME WHEN SUZANNE WOULD WHISPER SWEET NOTHINGS IN MY EAR, WHICH WAS KIND OF NICE. NOW IT'S THE DOOM AND GLOOM REGIMEN, THAT'S GOT ME SPOOKED. SO FOR THE PAST COUPLE OF MONTHS, WE'VE BEEN LOWERING OUR INTAKE, AND NOW THE CLOSEST WE GET TO THE MEAT COUNTER, IS THE QUICK FLY-BY, ON THE WAY TO THE VEGETABLE DISPLAY. I GET TEARS IN MY EYES, PASSING THOSE BIG STEAKS AND RIBS, BUT WHEN I SEE THE PRICE, I START FEELING BETTER IMMEDIATELY. I GUESS IF THERE WAS EVER A TIME TO BECOME A VEGETARIAN, IT'S AT THIS PEAK OF MEAT SPECULATION. MY SPECULATION, IS THAT THE GROCERY MAGNATES, ARE GOING TO LOSE A BUNDLE OF MONEY FROM THE CURRIES, AS WE BUY RADISHES, GREEN ONIONS AND MUSHROOMS INSTEAD OF PORK CHOPS; NOT THE PRICE OF A KING'S RANSOM. GROCERY STORES THESE DAYS ARE DRIVING A LOT OF FOLKS AWAY FROM MEAT CONSUMPTION. MAYBE THAT'S A GOOD THING.    WE'VE BOTH LOST WEIGHT, ESPECIALLY SUZANNE, AND I CAUGHT A COUPLE OF YOUNG LADIES THE OTHER DAY, CHECKING ME OUT, AS THEY WALKED BY. IT WAS EITHER THE CASE, THEY WERE ASKING DISCRETELY, "SAY, ISN'T THAT SVELT GUY, THE FAMOUS BLOGGER GUY FROM GRAVENHURST," OR "I CAN'T BELIEVE THAT GUY DOESN'T KNOW HE'S GOT TOILET PAPER STUCK TO HIS SHOE." SUZANNE HAS A TARGET "PANTS SIZE" SHE'S SHOOTING FOR, AND I'VE ALWAYS WANTED TO OWN A LEATHER JACKET, AND PRESENTLY, THEY DON'T MAKE THEM IN GODZILLA SIZE. SO I'VE GOT A WAYS TO GO YET. BUT I'M NOT OPTIMISTIC ABOUT THE SPEEDO I HAD AS A YOUNG LAD.
     POINT IS, THE BIGGEST ADJUSTMENT, IS WHEN WE TRAVEL THE ANTIQUE CIRCUIT. IT WAS OBVIOUSLY WRONG TO TIE FOOD DISCOVERIES, AND AN INSATIABLE APPETITE FOR FRESH BLUEBERRY PIES, TO THE HUNT AND GATHER OF ANTIQUES AND COLLECTABLES. I GET HUNGRY JUST WRITING ABOUT IT. THE OTHER ASSOCIATED DILEMMA, IS THAT I HAVE BEEN WRITING ABOUT OUR ANTIQUING TRAVELS, FOR SEVERAL ONTARIO PUBLICATIONS, INCLUDING THIS BLOG, WITH REFERENCES TO PLACES WE'VE DINED, AND WHERE WE HAVE FOUND EXCEPTIONAL BAKED GOODS, AND FARM FRESH PRODUCE; STORIES ABOUT THE HOLE-IN-THE-WALL BAKERIES AND BACK STREET DINING ESTABLISHMENTS, THAT SERVE SOME OF THE MOST AMAZING DISHES IN THE PROVINCE. SO THE FACT THAT ALL THESE FOOD RELATED INTERACTIONS, ARE PART OF OUR PROFESSION, IMBEDDED AS TRADITION, WE'RE BOTH STUMBLING, THESE DAYS, TRYING TO SATISFY OUR URGES; AND FIND THE ANTIQUES WE NEED TO KEEP OUR SHOP STOCKED. WITHOUT FOOD REWARDS, I'VE LOST INCENTIVE TO SHOP, AND NO LONGER HAVE THE SAME CULINARY ADVENTURES TO WRITE ABOUT. SUZANNE ASSURES ME, THAT WHEN WE LOSE OUR TITANIC PROPORTIONS, AND CAN ONCE AGAIN FIT INTO SKINNY JEANS, WE CAN GO BACK TO SOME OF THESE OLD HABITS ON A CALORIC BUDGET. I DON'T THINK I CAN FIND POUTINE THAT ISN'T GOING TO KILL ME EVENTUALLY. I TOLD SUZANNE, JUST NOW, (AS SHE WAS LOOKING OVER MY SHOULDER) THAT I'D GREATLY PREFER TAKING A DRUG, THAT WOULD MAKE THIS WEIGHT-LOSS THING GO A LOT SMOOTHER. SHE RESPONDED THAT THE ONLY DRUG I NEEDED, WAS IN THE ABSTRACTION OF WILL POWER, BENEFITTING ALL AREAS OF MY LIFE. "YOU JUST NEED 'SELF-A-DENIAL,' AND YOU'LL BE ABLE TO SEE YOUR FEET AGAIN WHEN YOU STAND UP." SHE OF COURSE, IS REFERRING TO MY PONCH, WHICH GOES BACK TO THE DAYS I HELD UP THE BAR AT THE BRACEBRIDGE ALBION, WHICH NEWS STAFF KNEW THEN AS THE MUSKOKA PRESS CLUB.
     I CUT OUT THE BOOZE, FINISHED WITH HOCKEY, GOLF, BASEBALL (ALL HAVING BOOZE REWARDS) AND CABLE TELEVISION (FOOD REWARD), AND NOW REAL FOOD....AT LEAST ACCORDING TO THE WAY I WAS RAISED. I WAS RAISED BY MEAT EATERS. TWO MEALS EVERY DAY AT LEAST, WERE DEVOTED TO PORK, BEEF, LAMB AND VENISON. CHICKEN, TURKEY AND FISH WERE OCCASIONAL SUBSTITUTES. NOW I'VE JUST FINISHED AN UNFULFILLING LUNCH OF MOSTLY PRODUCE DUSTED WITH CRACKERS, AND OH YES, THE CELERY. SO IF I SEEM A LITTLE ANGRY THESE DAYS, AND A LITTLE LESS THAN INSPIRED ABOUT ANTIQUES, I BLAME IT ON SUZANNE FOR PUTTING ME ON A RESTRICTED MENU, EVEN WHEN MY ONLY MALADY IS THE LIMP I'VE GOT FROM YEARS OF CRAPPY POSTURE, THAT DIDN'T HAVE ONE THING TO DO WITH DIET. EVEN MY MOTHER USED TO COMPLIMENT HOW WELL I SAT AT THE TABLE. I'M ASSUMING SHE MEANT I HAD GOOD POSTURE FOR DEVOURING A POT ROAST AND THOSE AMAZING GLAZED BROWN POTATOES.
    "YOU'LL BE ABLE TO START JOGGING AGAIN, WHEN YOU LOSE YOUR GUT," SAYS SUZANNE, INSISTING THAT MY LIMP IS DIRECTLY PROPORTIONAL TO MY OVER-BURDEN OF STOMACH. MAYBE SHE'S RIGHT. I JUST DON'T WANT TO ADMIT SHE MAY BE CORRECT, PUTTING ME ON THIS LIFE ALTERING DIET. WE HAVE THIS THING, YOU SEE, ABOUT ADMITTING ONE OR THE OTHER IS RIGHT IN AN ARGUMENT. WE JUST GO SILENT ON THE MATTER, WHICH I CAN STICK TO, WITH HONOR, BY WRITING THIS INSTEAD OF SPEAKING OUTRIGHT. "I'LL LOSE A HUNDRED POUNDS IF YOU LET ME BUY A MOTORCYCLE THIS SUMMER," I DIRECT HER WAY. "SORRY CHARLIE," SHE ANSWERS, IN ESSENCE, REFERENCING ME AS AN OLD TUNA, AT THE SAME TIME AS DENYING ME MY LIFE LONG AMBITION OF JOINING A BIKER GANG.
     WE STILL MAKE FOOD RELATED STOPS ON OUR ANTIQUE JUNKETS. JUST NOT THE KIND THAT REQUIRES A BIBB AND LOTS OF BARBECUE SAUCE. I CAN STILL HAVE A SLICE OF FRESHLY BAKED PIE, BUT THE SLIVER SHE CUTS FOR ME, IS DOWN RIGHT INSULTING TO A MAN OF MY SUBSTANTIAL GIRTH. NO PIZZA. NONE. THAT SUCKS. MY OLD WRITING COLLEAGUE, USED TO INTRODUCE ME TO FRIENDS, AND A FEW DIGNITARIES, AS "TED CURRIE, THE HUMAN WALL OF MEAT." SUZANNE JUST GIVES ME THE LOOK, WHICH SAYS PRETTY MUCH THE SAME THING; WHEN SHE CATCHES ME IN THE FRIDGE GETTING THE INGREDIENTS FOR A LATE NIGHT DAGWOOD SANDWICH. "PUT IT BACK IN THE FRIDGE." I SURRENDER QUICKLY BECAUSE I HATE TO FIGHT ABOUT FOOD. I LET HER KNOW, THAT I SHALL RETIRE TO BEDLAM AND DREAM OF FOOD INSTEAD.....A PLACE WHERE SHE IS NOT WELCOME. UNLESS THAT IS, SHE BRINGS ME A PLATE OF LEMON CHICKEN LIKE THE GOOD OLD DAYS.

THE ABOVE GREETING CARD, WAS PRODUCED BY GRAVENHURST ARTIST, AND OUTSTANDING PRINT MAKER, FRANK JOHNSTON. THIS CARD WAS MADE IN THE 1980'S BY JOHNSTON, AS ONE OF HIS MANY HISTORICAL THEMED PAINTINGS, AND THIS ONE FEATURES PIONEER VILLAGE IN HUNTSVILLE. WHAT MAKES THIS ONE SPECIAL FOR ME, IS THAT IT CAME FROM MUSKOKA MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT, FRANK MILLER, AND FAMILY. THERE IS ALSO A SKETCH ON THE INSIDE OF THE HUNTSVILLE TOWN HALL. I RECEIVED THE CARD AS EDITOR OF THE HERALD-GAZETTE. FOR YEARS FRANK AND I SEEMED TO MEET UP ON MOST "WORKING" WEEKENDS OF THE YEAR, TO VISIT MUSKOKA CONSTITUENTS WHO WERE CELEBRATING MILESTONE WEDDING ANNIVERSARIES AND BIRTHDAYS……FRANK PRESENTED CONGRATULATIONS FROM THE PROVINCE, M.P. STAN DARLING, REPRESENTING THE JURISDICTION OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, AND I REPRESENTED THE WILLINGNESS OF THE LOCAL PRESS, TO COVER ALL OUR COMMUNITY ACCOMPLISHMENTS. SO EVERY YEAR I GOT A CARD FROM FRANK, (I'M NOT SURE ABOUT STAN) AT CHRISTMAS, AND I HUNG ONTO THEM……AND I'M GLAD I DID. THIS IS JUST ONE EXAMPLE OF THE OUTSTANDING WORK BY FRANK JOHNSTON. AS I PLAN ON COMPLETING A BIOGRAPHY OF FRANK JOHNSTON THIS YEAR, I WOULD BE DELIGHTED TO SEE ANY CARDS OR PRINTS (ORIGINALS WOULD BE NICE), OF HIS ART WORK, THAT CAN BE USED WITH THE FUTURE ONLINE BIOGRAPHY. I DON'T WANT GRAVENHURST FORGETTING WHO THIS TALENTED MAN WAS, AND HOW HE CONTRIBUTED TO THE ARTS AND CULTURE OF THE COMMUNITY, FOR THOSE YEARS HE LIVED AND WORKED A BLOCK FROM THE MAIN STREET.

WHAT FINDS YOU CAN MAKE AMONGST ALL THE CAR PARTS

MEMORIAL SHADOW BOX AND ANOTHER BIRD COLLECTION

     I ARRIVED HOME LATE, SO I DON'T HAVE TIME TO WRITE ABOUT MY EXPERIENCES AT THE "LITTLE BIT WET" TWICE ANNUAL AUTOMOTIVE FLEA MARKET AT BURL'S CREEK PARK, NORTH OF BARRIE ON HIGHWAY ELEVEN. I DID GET A FABULOUS FOLK ART PIECE……A SHELL ENCRUSTED MEMORIAL CROSS, MOUNTED IN A SUBSTANTIAL VICTORIAN-ERA SHADOW BOX, FROM THE LITTLE BRITAIN AREA OF THE PROVINCE. IT'S A BEAUTY. IT WILL BE ON DISPLAY THIS WEEK AT OUR FAMILY SHOP. I ALSO MANAGED TO BUY ANOTHER SMALL BIRD DIORAMA, WITH FOUR WELL PRESERVED FEATHERED FRIENDS, AND WITH A LITTLE CLEANING, WILL BE ON DISPLAY AT OUR MAIN STREET SHOP, ALONGSIDE THE OTHER LARGER VICTORIAN CASE WITH TWELVE BIRDS, I PICKED UP A MONTH AGO IN DOWNTOWN WASHAGO. THE PROBLEM WAS, THAT THE CASE WAS TOO BIG TO CARRY ALL THE WAY BACK TO THE CAR, SO SUZANNE BOUGHT THE SAME KIND OF WAGON, SHE USED TO PULL OUR BOYS IN, BACK IN THE GOOD OLD DAYS, WHEN THEY USED TO HIKE UPTOWN FOR ICE CREAM TREATS IN THE SUMMER. SHE WANGLED THE WAGON FOR TWENTY BUCKS, FROM THE FORTY DOLLAR ASKING PRICE. IT WAS LATE IN THE DAY AND THE GUY WAS WET AND MISERABLE. ANDREW GOT A NICE BASS GUITAR, WITH CASE, AND ROBERT PICKED UP FOURTEEN HARD TO FIND RECORDS. YUP, ALL AT AN AUTOMOTIVE FLEA MARKET. I LOVE THAT SALE. THE NEXT ONE IS IN EARLY JUNE 2013. I'LL TELL YOU MORE ABOUT THE SALE, AND WHAT YOU CAN FIND THERE, IN TOMORROW'S BLOG.

PICTURE OF A GHOST?

This is a photograph of a ghost? It was taken at the former McGibbon House, on Manitoba Street, in Bracebridge, Ontario. (It was torn down a number of years ago). You can read more about the ghost(s) of McGibbon House by referencing back in this collection of blog entries. The black and white image above was one frame of dozens taken with a motor-wind on my news-issue 35mm camera back in the early 1980's. But it was the only frame showing the arc of mist just above and overlapping the door frame itself. It was taken of a doorway into a small hall, where every night at about the same time my cat "Animal" would jump off the small sofa, and stare up at the kitchen wall.

After many months of this happening, and not being able to figure out what was attracting the cat’s attention, I set myself up this particular evening, with a camera, flash and some patience. Within only minutes of my setting up, Animal jumped down and wandered toward the open door, sitting beside the old rocking chair, and on cue looking up. If you see the cat, follow its glance upwards and you will see the misty and curved vapor on the door frame itself. If you draw a line from the cat’s nose to the vapor it’s not far fetched at all to believe this was the object of its curiosity.

I remember shooting about a full roll of 24 frames on this occasion but when my photo technician processed the film the next day, there was only one frame that contained this peculiar half ring of mist. It was determined not to be a light flare or lens flaw as all the other photographs taken with that same camera and lens were perfect......even the ones shot at the same time from the same position.

The event only ever lasted a few moments and just as I was scrambling in my camera bag for another roll of film, Animal had turned and trotted back to the couch to resume his cat-nap. The same thing happened many more nights that year and Animal reacted the same each time. What is curious, if you cross reference stories about the McGibbon homestead, is that my first major paranormal encounter in the house, was experienced on the back stairs several years earlier, just a few feet from where this photograph was taken. I went through the back door into a dark stairway one night, after working at my typewriter in the attic office, and was preparing to head down one more flight of stairs to a lower apartment,.....when without any warning, I walked into a literal wall of damp, chilled, blinding white vapor......contrasted so starkly from the blackness on this second floor landing. It was quite an experience and is detailed in the larger story about the McGibbon House. I suppose this vapor could have been a repeat performance in a very haunted back section of an historic Bracebridge house. Only Animal knew for sure.