Kempenfelt Bay, upon whose shores the beautiful City of Barrie sits. It’s also home to other wonderful little spots, like Big Bay Point, and Shanty Bay.
A Bay, that grows ever more beautiful as winter melts into spring. When spring moves into summer, then autumn, and back to winter, and ice huts will once again dominate the landscape.
The frozen waters provide a perfect playground for this beautiful chocolate lab. A chocolate lab, much loved by his Oma and Opa.
Pressure cracks, and nature’s sculptures, cover the bay as water begins to pool on top of the ice.
Deep below the layers of ice lurks the legendary lake creature named Kempenfelt Kelly.
Kempenfelt Kelly is said to have a long stove-pipe neck, topped with a face that looks like a dog.
It is about 12 feet long, or prehaps a lot longer.
Folklore also says that it has three pairs of legs, and looks like an octopus, topped with two long and sensitive antenna.
One source noted that it has “exquisitely beautiful feather-like appendages, that are constantly in motion.”
When I finally lay eyes on the mysterious Kempenfelt Kelly, I will give you a full, and accurate description of this remarkable being.
Along the shore of Kempenfelt Bay, in Big Bay Point.
My parents and my two sisters, plus four of my mother’s siblings and their families, emigrated to Canada from the Netherlands, in the early 1950’s.
I was born in Canada.
When I was a little girl speaking dutch, an aunt gently said to me, ‘We came to Canada to be Canadian, let’s speak English.’
Aunts and Uncles, from the Netherlands, would visit and very quickly my first language would return. Today, cousins visiting are very fluent in the English language. Practicing Dutch has becoming a rare occurrence.
Gradually, the language of my ancestors became lost to me.
Or so I thought.
Basic Dutch
My friend, D, has been using this quiet time of Covid19 to study the French language. I am very grateful to her for introducing me to her wonderful little App. Two days ago I started on a journey that, hopefully, will lead me to becoming fluent in the Dutch language.
I am surprised at how easily the words are returning. The written word is a bit challenging, the grammar, the spelling!
But the speaking, and the reading, come back easily!
I realize I am early on in the course, but I feel very confident that I will regain this language that I had believed to be lost.
My first painting of the year. Of eight people who began 2022, together.
A beautiful quote from Elene Barnabe, “Our hands are the antennas of our soul. When you move them by sewing, cooking, painting, touching the earth or sinking it into the earth, they send signals of caring to the deepest part of you and your soul calms down.”
Painting a picture of people you love does not come easily, but it is a very satisfying way to spend a few cold, winter days.
We started the year off together. During this time, we walked, and we talked, and we took photos in the forest. Looked for animal tracks, and listened to the quiet.
Memories flooded in, of long hikes, treasures found, large mud puddles, and a crazy little river.
And always coming home in capable, proficient hands.
Standing over 1.6 meters, and probably weighing in at around 800kg, this majestic Clydesdale is eating candy canes from our granddaughter’s mittened hand.
‘Sleigh bells ring, are you listening. In the lane, the snow is glistening. ‘ Richard B Smith
A McMaster University study finds the benefits of spending time in nature as the following.
Increased feelings of calmness.
Increased endorphin levels and dopamine production (promotes happiness).
Restored capacity for concentration and attention.
Reduced symptoms of anxiety and depression.
Reduced irritability.
Lowered blood pressure and reduced cortisol (stress hormone)
Reduced feelings of isolation
Tom and Jake
Coincidentally, being around horses has a lot of the same benefits. Decreased blood pressure, lower stress levels, and reduced feelings of tension, anxiety and anger. In addition, studies show an increase of self- esteem, empowerment, patience, and trust.
Horse pastures.
After our wagon ride through the forest, we paid a visit to a horse pasture. Our 7 year old granddaughter called out to them, gently explaining to them that we were are a very loving family, and would cause them no harm.
Soon several beautiful horses approached the fence, trusting every word she spoke.
Thank-you so much to Rainbow View Farms for the wonderful outing.