Mosquitoes:
Mosquitoes are most impolite.
They loudly buzz and rudely bite.
No creature will they ever please
with itching bites that spread disease.
And every being, man or beast,
can end up a mosquito feast!
In me, they thus incite attack -
so satisfying is the whack
that smashes one more parasite
before it gets the chance to bite!
Sharon Flood Kasenberg, July 20, 2017
Perhaps mosquitoes are the one topic on which most of humanity can agree. I hate them, you hate them, your neighbour and your dog hate them. They're really only appreciated by the creatures that eat them, which says a lot about their general appeal.
Southwestern Ontario has had the ideal conditions this spring and summer to produce a bumper crop of the filthy varmints - a late winter thaw (lots of puddles), a mostly cool spring and summer (no heat to kill them off) and frequent rain. I haven't experienced swarms of mosquitoes like this since I played in the woods on the shores of Lake Superior as a child.
Spending times outdoors has lost a fair amount of appeal, and getting outdoor chores done, like weeding my flower beds, has been challenging. But I forge on, and have come up with a system that makes it less miserable for me. Before I shower in the morning I coat myself and my clothing in Deep Woods Off and head outside to pull up the most offensive weeds in lawn and garden. Some mornings I use bug spray more strategically, and pull on a hoodie, leaving the hood up to protect my scalp and the back of my neck. I know I look silly, but desperate times call for desperate measures.
Neighbours have complained about battling the bugs to hang out laundry or walk their dogs. I've taken to walking during the hottest part of the day, and avoiding the shade (where the skeeters swarm) as much as possible. I might be increasing my risk of skin cancer, but I need the exercise and I'm sick of scratching. I've tried a few "natural bug repellents" mentioned online - I hate the smell and feel of commercial sprays - and I've had mixed results. Cider Vinegar actually seems to attract them, so I'd recommend avoiding any concoctions that use this as a main ingredient. A solution of mint essential oil and water (I put about half a teaspoon into about a cup of water and shook it up) seemed fairy effective, but only for twenty or thirty minutes. This mixture also leaves your skin all tingly and makes you feel minty fresh and invigorated, even if it causes your husband to claim that he feels like he's kissing a bottle of mouthwash.
Here in Atwood, I've seen everyone doing versions of the "Mosquito Dance" as they get out and about. One evening, as I was locking the front door, I saw a woman smacking herself and waving her hands in front of her face in the middle of my street. I couldn't resist the urge to cheer her on as she fought the good fight against the nasty blood-suckers. Opening my door I shouted, "Swat those flies, swat those flies!" I don't know her, and she doesn't know me, but I swear a moment of solidarity passed between us.
Doesn't it feel good to know we're not alone in looking goofy as we walk around batting them away from our faces and trying to flatten them before they bite? They bring out murderous tendencies in all of us. The fly swatter has taken up residence in the kitchen again, and if they dare land near me in any other room I'll smack them with my bare hands. (But never against the wallpaper or on freshly painted walls. A girl needs to maintain a few standards.) And really, is there much that's more satisfying then screaming, "HA- I got you!" after you've killed one?
They might be small, but they're mighty. Their bites sting and itch and spread disease. Every time I kill one I feel that I've done a small service to the world - except maybe the spider at my back door, and the toads who live in my garden. Any of them would love the tasty morsel.
But hey - spiders are a pain in the patootie too, and those toads in the garden make my hoodie clad self look even more ridiculous when they hop out of a plant, a foot from my nose, and make me jump back like some wannabe reverse broad jumper. So no apologies, mosquito eaters. I intend to keep on killing those disgusting little parasites before they stick their proboscises into my business!
Happy swatting, my friends. Keep on dancing, and I promise I won't laugh at your moves if you don't laugh at mine!
Friday 21 July 2017
Wednesday 5 July 2017
Canada 150 - Atwood Style! By Sharon Flood Kasenberg
Canada 150 - Atwood Style!
For this celebration
our town is red and white -
birthday of our nation -
we have to do it right!
Canada Day in Atwood -
the whole town is abuzz!
The rain holds off as it should -
it cannot rain because
we have planned a big parade
to celebrate this day!
Lots of effort has been made
and now it's time to play!
Sirens can be heard now
firetrucks flash their lights
parade's beginning - oh wow!
I sit and watch the sights.
Cars from every decade,
trucks and tractors too,
all with Maple Leaf displayed
it seems the thing to do.
Floats are quite creative,
one has both pool and rink,
For "our home and native"
that fits, don't you think?
Pipers pipe and horses trot
along the parade route.
Eyes all watch from chosen spot -
'cause everyone is out!
Lion's Park is busy -
activities abound.
Crowds almost make me dizzy,
the whole town hangs around.
Hundreds eat together,
they visit and they chat.
All speak of the weather -
"What do you think of that?
Rain has held off for parade
for sixty years straight!
And clear skies for fireworks!
I can hardly wait!"
Rural celebrations?
Some are bound to scoff.
But no exaggeration -
Atwood pulls it off!
Little town with big heart -
I'm glad you took me in.
Celebrating is an art -
and this town takes the win!
Sharon Flood Kasenberg, July 5, 2017
Almost a year ago I moved to a small mid-western Ontario town. After months of looking we'd found the property we were looking for, and my only reservation about making the move was going to such a small town. Atwood Ontario isn't particularly pretty. Its streets aren't lined with quaint little shops and restaurants, and it doesn't have a ton of amenities to offer. Could I be happy there? Would I go stir crazy?
I quickly learned that this town has a few things more important than a grocery store or a lot of kitschy shops. It has friendly people. It has community spirit. It has heart.
Things happen here. Community events are well attended. People take the time to get to know their neighbours. The people of Atwood care about their community and work together to make things happen here.
I've lived in a lot of different places over the years, but I've never seen a community put as much into a Canada Day celebration as this one does. An entire weekend full of events was planned months in advance. People in town decorated their yards with red and white flowers and flags and signs, and Main Street had commemorative Canada 150 banners hung out.
Thursday night kicked off the celebrations with two different parties. At the community center there was a dance with a live band geared toward older adults. Attendance wasn't quite as high as had been hoped, but those who came had a good time and I think this event will gain popularity in the coming years. Outside, in the tennis courts, there was a video dance for the young (and young at heart). Friday night was wing night at the Lion's Park. (No cooking for me!) A local band began playing at about 7:30, and a tent was set up where children could watch videos. I didn't do a head count, but there was quite a crowd. Everyone enjoyed their wings and seemed to be having fun socializing and listening to the music.
My younger son and daughter-in-law arrived from Boston on Wednesday night and were enthusiastic about going to wing night and enjoying the Canada Day celebrations with us on Saturday. I think now they're beginning to understand why we like it here so much. They met a whole lot of people and got a nice taste of the community spirit that exists here.
The parade on Saturday was a lot of fun. We live one lot over from Main Street, so I was able to haul fairly comfortable patio furniture over to a great vantage point at the corner of my street. My mother was even able to watch the parade from an upstairs window, and I was glad all of us got to see it. The crowd was pretty thick where we were sitting, and there was quite a buzz in the air before the parade began. I warned my son in advance that he'd see a lot of tractors - it's all part of the rural experience. He and his wife loved the Lion's float that had a small skating rink on it - what could be more Canadian, right? Miraculously, the grey clouds held onto their contents until a few minutes after the parade ended. In sixty one years the Atwood Canada Day parade has never been rained out - which is really kind of amazing!
Saturday night was another night I didn't have to cook supper. (How great is that? I only made supper once all weekend!) We all went to the community center for a pork chop supper. My older son doesn't even like pork chops, but he liked those pork chops! They were delicious! And when you consider the town served more dinners than it has inhabitants that's pretty impressive! After supper my mother and I sat outside waiting for the kids to finish eating so they could drive her home, and we ended up talking for almost an hour with a nice couple who live on a farm in the area. (My mother was really impressed with the friendliness of the people she met.)
Finally Saturday night came and we walked a whole ten minutes across town to see a pretty impressive fireworks display. Once again crowds were out in full force and people called out to friends and visited with one another.
The weekend was a rousing success in my opinion. I think my son and his wife got to see Atwood at its finest - celebrating together.
Canada is a very welcoming and inclusive country, and my community is very Canadian that way. They welcome the newbies. They try to be neighbourly. They pull together to make special days even more special.
Atwood does a lot of things right, but they do Canada Day best.
For this celebration
our town is red and white -
birthday of our nation -
we have to do it right!
Canada Day in Atwood -
the whole town is abuzz!
The rain holds off as it should -
it cannot rain because
we have planned a big parade
to celebrate this day!
Lots of effort has been made
and now it's time to play!
Sirens can be heard now
firetrucks flash their lights
parade's beginning - oh wow!
I sit and watch the sights.
Cars from every decade,
trucks and tractors too,
all with Maple Leaf displayed
it seems the thing to do.
Floats are quite creative,
one has both pool and rink,
For "our home and native"
that fits, don't you think?
Pipers pipe and horses trot
along the parade route.
Eyes all watch from chosen spot -
'cause everyone is out!
Lion's Park is busy -
activities abound.
Crowds almost make me dizzy,
the whole town hangs around.
Hundreds eat together,
they visit and they chat.
All speak of the weather -
"What do you think of that?
Rain has held off for parade
for sixty years straight!
And clear skies for fireworks!
I can hardly wait!"
Rural celebrations?
Some are bound to scoff.
But no exaggeration -
Atwood pulls it off!
Little town with big heart -
I'm glad you took me in.
Celebrating is an art -
and this town takes the win!
Sharon Flood Kasenberg, July 5, 2017
Almost a year ago I moved to a small mid-western Ontario town. After months of looking we'd found the property we were looking for, and my only reservation about making the move was going to such a small town. Atwood Ontario isn't particularly pretty. Its streets aren't lined with quaint little shops and restaurants, and it doesn't have a ton of amenities to offer. Could I be happy there? Would I go stir crazy?
I quickly learned that this town has a few things more important than a grocery store or a lot of kitschy shops. It has friendly people. It has community spirit. It has heart.
Things happen here. Community events are well attended. People take the time to get to know their neighbours. The people of Atwood care about their community and work together to make things happen here.
I've lived in a lot of different places over the years, but I've never seen a community put as much into a Canada Day celebration as this one does. An entire weekend full of events was planned months in advance. People in town decorated their yards with red and white flowers and flags and signs, and Main Street had commemorative Canada 150 banners hung out.
Thursday night kicked off the celebrations with two different parties. At the community center there was a dance with a live band geared toward older adults. Attendance wasn't quite as high as had been hoped, but those who came had a good time and I think this event will gain popularity in the coming years. Outside, in the tennis courts, there was a video dance for the young (and young at heart). Friday night was wing night at the Lion's Park. (No cooking for me!) A local band began playing at about 7:30, and a tent was set up where children could watch videos. I didn't do a head count, but there was quite a crowd. Everyone enjoyed their wings and seemed to be having fun socializing and listening to the music.
My younger son and daughter-in-law arrived from Boston on Wednesday night and were enthusiastic about going to wing night and enjoying the Canada Day celebrations with us on Saturday. I think now they're beginning to understand why we like it here so much. They met a whole lot of people and got a nice taste of the community spirit that exists here.
The parade on Saturday was a lot of fun. We live one lot over from Main Street, so I was able to haul fairly comfortable patio furniture over to a great vantage point at the corner of my street. My mother was even able to watch the parade from an upstairs window, and I was glad all of us got to see it. The crowd was pretty thick where we were sitting, and there was quite a buzz in the air before the parade began. I warned my son in advance that he'd see a lot of tractors - it's all part of the rural experience. He and his wife loved the Lion's float that had a small skating rink on it - what could be more Canadian, right? Miraculously, the grey clouds held onto their contents until a few minutes after the parade ended. In sixty one years the Atwood Canada Day parade has never been rained out - which is really kind of amazing!
Saturday night was another night I didn't have to cook supper. (How great is that? I only made supper once all weekend!) We all went to the community center for a pork chop supper. My older son doesn't even like pork chops, but he liked those pork chops! They were delicious! And when you consider the town served more dinners than it has inhabitants that's pretty impressive! After supper my mother and I sat outside waiting for the kids to finish eating so they could drive her home, and we ended up talking for almost an hour with a nice couple who live on a farm in the area. (My mother was really impressed with the friendliness of the people she met.)
Finally Saturday night came and we walked a whole ten minutes across town to see a pretty impressive fireworks display. Once again crowds were out in full force and people called out to friends and visited with one another.
The weekend was a rousing success in my opinion. I think my son and his wife got to see Atwood at its finest - celebrating together.
Canada is a very welcoming and inclusive country, and my community is very Canadian that way. They welcome the newbies. They try to be neighbourly. They pull together to make special days even more special.
Atwood does a lot of things right, but they do Canada Day best.
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