a peek inside the fishbowl

I am slowly making my way through an unbelievably vast mountain of laundry.

Last week I posted about the girls going to summer camp up in Temagami. What I didn’t mention was that we were joining them a few days after their departure. (I hate letting the world know our house is going to be empty. There is nothing really worth stealing here, but STILL. I don’t want to issue this kind of invitation. HELLO! OUR HOUSE IS EMPTY! COME STEAL MY UNDERWEAR AND OUR SMALL TELEVISION SET!)

You see, I am writing the script for a promotional video for this same camp. I wrote a draft of the script before we left, but we had to head up there for a few days to shoot the video, interview people, and collect more information. I was, and remain, thrilled and honoured to be trusted with this kind of project. And the people I have been working with have been amazing and supportive and helpful at every step along the way.

I was counting my blessings every day I was there. (No matter how many mosquito bites this job cost me.)  

We arrived on Wednesday, happy to escape the heat here in Ottawa. It was slightly cooler on Temagami Island. The woods and water offered some degree of protection from the oppressive weather. It’s about tall trees here; old rock, clear water and deep sunsets. It’s the kind of place that’s good for the soul.

It is breathtaking.

Here’s a view from High Rock, which is the highest point on High Rock Island, and is right across the lake from camp:

Here’s another view:

We hardly saw the girls as they were so deeply entrenched in their camp routines. Every once in awhile they’d swing by for a hug and a chat. Suffice it to say they had a great time, and there were more than a few tears shed upon departure.

I’ve written about summer camp before, but the more people I spoke to and the longer I hung around I found myself becoming a bigger and bigger fan of the summer camp experience. Every kid should have the chance to go to summer camp.

This camp had kids between the ages of 6-17. The older campers were the ones who caught my interest the most. Teenagers everywhere suffer from such a bad rap, don’t they? They’re often portrayed as lazy, clueless, pot smokin’, delinquent ne’re-do-wells. Well, I had the pleasure of meeting of many young people, all of whom were friendly, thoughtful, smart, creative, energetic, and happy … all poised to become wonderful citizens of the world.

Camp is a rare opportunity for children to be their authentic selves, to untether themselves from peer pressure and social expectations that come hand in hand with city and school life. It’s a place where kids can really be kids. Where else would you find teenage boys and girls making up silly songs and wearing costumes? And belting out cheers while friends arrive back – stinking and absolutely filthy and radiantly happy – after multi-day canoe trips?

We had some fantastic moments working, eating, playing with our adopted family. I am pretty sure I had the best ice-cream sandwich in my entire life. I had some excellent swims in the lake and even a rare power nap… all of which completely erases any negative effects brought about by the mosquitoes (my ankles are battle-scarred) and the giant spider we found silently sneaking around our cabin. Ugh.

The story of the week: We almost tripped over a fox. We were heading up to our cabin, Mark’s pocket flashlight carving out such a tiny swath of the immense woody darkness that we didn’t see the thing until we were nearly on top of it.

Oh my god, it’s a fox!

We slowly backtracked down the hill, the fox walking towards us, matching our steps one for one. I had just finished wondering if it was going to sample my exposed ankles when I decided I’d try to scare it by clapping my hands loudly. It worked.

Anyway, I wanted to give you a tiny photographic tour, so you can see a bit of the fun I got to have while I was visiting Camp Wabikon:

Read the rest of this entry »

…  has been taking a break this past week. But we haven’t been couch potatoes. No siree. But more on that later today.

The KMDM activity for this coming week is:

Cook extra chicken, turkey or roast beef for dinner and use leftovers as sandwich fillings for lunch. Deli meats are highly processed and usually high in sodium.

Deli meats – and bacon – are a failing of ours. During the school year they get ham and/or salami in their lunches a few times a week.

I can cook an extra chicken, sure, but the kids have never agreed to eat it in a sandwich. I will try again and see. *sigh*

… and currently in recovery from what I can only call a “working holiday” … albeit one that was immensely fun. More on that later. Right now, a cold cold beer is calling. :)