north bay trip

7/31/2019 North Bay Trip

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Margaret and Janette's North

Bay Adventure


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June/July 2012Day One: Wednesday, June 27th

My alarm was set for 8:00 am but by 6:00 I felt like I could no longer settle so I had my

shower and got dressed. I put on my black pants and the light blue floral T-shirt I hadoriginally embroidered for my mom, made myself a cup of coffee and had a banana withlemon yogurt and one of the blueberry muffins Janette had brought.

Dave had already left for work and Janette was still sleeping so I went on the computer forawhile until she got up.

While I was getting ready to leave I listened to Culture Club's Greatest Hits while I did thedishes. I wanted to make sure I'd packed everything I needed. Most of it was done last nightbut there were still bits and bobs here and there and I kept feeling like I was forgettingsomething.

Last night I had finally finished the second panel on Joey's mural. It was a picture of her dog,Biscuit. I'd worked on it for months and now I'd started work on the third panel, one of herriding her horse Echo along a trail through the woods.

Above: the first two panels for Joey's Mural: Echo (left) and Biscuit (right)

I felt like I had so many loose ends to tie preparing for this trip. Besides Joey's project, I hadalso started a line of new Collector's Edition soft sculpture carousel horses based onJanette's Honeymoon Horse


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I'd made the first one for a project in art class and the idea sort of snowballed out from there.I'd already made three and I have six more to go plus tails for nineteen more.

On Monday I set out and did my errands. First I went to Black's because I wanted to get a

new memory card for my camera. 4GB gets used up so quickly. And I already sacrificed my6GB card to my digital picture frame for the Symposium so I could show pictures of the thingsthat were too big to bring. So you can imagine my surprise when I saw memory cards thatcontained 34GB! I asked how much they cost. Over $50. I thought I might shop around andsee what I could find for less but just then somebody's baby just HAD to start screaming. Iplugged my ears and ran, told the saleslady I'd be back in a few minutes, fumbled around withmy MP3 player and then I went back into the store and decided to buy the 34GB chip after all.Why not? $54 for that much GB memory is a steal compared to what I used to spend on filmand developing in days of yore!

As I left the mall the White Oaks bus was right there so I waved my hat to the driver and

made the mad dash on board. Wouldn't you know it. There was baby stroller #2, so I headedfor the back of the bus and turned up my music.

At least it wasn't a long bus ride. I was glad that the Shopper's Drug Mart at the KendalwoodPlaza had a post office so I could finally mail the Crawfords the buttons I'd made for them. Itried to do that downtown the other day but the computers were down.

At Fabricland I found my yellow broadcloth and pink and yellow felt but no lime green. Iremember my teacher saying she'd gotten hers at Micheals.

I had a quick look in the dollar store but didn't see anything that appealed to me.

I must have JUST missed the bus because I waited nearly half an hour for the next one.Wouldn't you know it. Baby #3 on board. So I made my way to the back and turned up myvolume. I had to turn it up even louder because, of course, the kid started to scream. The guysitting across from me gave me a sympathetic look. I bet he wished he had an MP3 playertoo!

Tuesday I went to Micheal's. I found my light green felt and several skeins of embroiderythread. It was a peaceful baby-free journey in both directions.


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when Janette and I had been our Niagara trip back in April.

Before we had much of a chance to rest, Aunt Anne asked if we'd water her plants. Thisusually takes her about an hour. We filled up the watering cans from the rain barrel andbetween the two of us got them done in less than 20 minutes, minus the window boxes. Wehelped steady the ladder while Anne watered those.

I also phoned the Horseless Carriage to make an appointment for a tour tomorrow aroundnoon. Jean is taking us into town tomorrow. There's a really cool antiques/ secondhand shopin town plus a great dollar store just a few doors down.

The lady at the Horseless Carriage said that the man who does the tours has a really badcold and may develop laryngitis. Don't be surprised if they cancel tomorrow,

We've been hanging out here in the basement for the past couple hours. It's so cool and quietdown here. It looks really nice down here too. For the longest time this basement was inshambles due to flooding but my aunt's got it all fixed up.

Day Two, Thursday, June 28th, 2012

After we watered the plants yesterday we spent some time working on the gorgeous jigsawpuzzle Joey had left for us. We helped Aunt Anne peel potatoes and then we went back towork on the puzzle while she cooked supper. That night we had roast beef, mashed potatoesand mixed veggies and for dessert we had some of that apple pie with butterscotch icecream.

We basically had a quiet evening drifting about, working on the puzzle and reading. We bothgeared down fairly early although Janette was too excited to sleep and wanted to do morereading. So she read while I just mellowed out in my sleep mask. It was so peaceful aroundhere that I decided I'd try sleeping without earplugs for a change, just enjoying the sounds ofnature. I ended up having to put them back in after all because at least twice I was startledawake by sudden loud, high-pitched noises outside. Could have been a bird, could have beena dog, just a short, shrill yelp.

(We had a major case of the giggles the following night when I said it might have been AceFrehley wandering around outside after too many drinks: AWK!)

At least when I did sleep I slept quite well, although once I accidentally poked Janette in theface reaching for one of my stuffed animals. I had both Waddle and The Cat in bed with meand Janette had Fluffy. Fluffy's been everywhere over the years and no doubt Waddle's donehis share of traveling.

Aunt Anne's dog, Marnie, hasn't been very well lately. She's getting quite old and the vet hasinformed Anne that it may be a matter of weeks. Every now and then we hear the poor doghaving coughing fits.

Anyway, we were up bright and early this morning. I wore the KISS T-shirt I bought on our lastNiagara trip today and Janette is wearing the T-shirt she bought last weekend when she wasthere to see Nik Wallenda. Her shirt is black with Niagara Falls in big white letters and


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multicoloured neon paint splatters which just happen to match my multicoloured neontoenails!

We enjoyed a breakfast of bran flakes with banana slices and fresh raspberries, hard-boiledeggs and Monkey bread.

Then Jean picked us up and drove us into Fenelon Falls where first we went into this nicelittle gift shop where I bought Dave a turtle fridge magnet and myself a pair of horse pins that Iput on my hat. Janette bought herself a cute T-shirt with bees on it. Then we went to theantiques and collectibles shop. I bought an Archie comic digest (Yeah right as if I NEEDanymore, hah-ha. I just gave away a ton last Christmas) and some Barbie doll clothes. Therewere some cute jackets I knew would fit my own doll but I knew I could recycle all thesecolourful ruffles and bits of iridescent fabric to decorate some of my carousel horses. The suitof armour and the two wooden horses I saw last year weren't there anymore. Janette didn'tbuy anything so she went ahead while I waited to make my purchases. The guy ahead of mewas having problems with his debit card.

By the time I was finished paying for my purchases, Janette had already seen the dollar store.There wasn't that much to see there this time. Last year I bought all kinds of lovely craftsupplies but this year it was pretty much all party supplies,

We then made our way to the used book store. It was great! The man who runs this place isreally passionate about his work. Not only does he have books for sale but coffee and aselection of baked goods. I bought several books including more Archies, As the Pig Turns,Something Borrowed, Five People You Will Meet in Heaven and A Million Little Pieces. Atleast three of these are unfinished stories so to speak. The book club at the CMHAclubhouse had read Five People You Will Meet in Heaven but I never got to finish reading itwith them because of my Coffee Cart job. Same with A Million Little Pieces. I enjoyed thatbook but they stopped reading it because there was too much swearing. At least I'd seen themovie of Five People You Will Meet in Heaven. And I saw the movie of SomethingBorrowed on my flight to Denver but I never got to see the whole thing because I had to go tothe bathroom so I paused the touch screen but couldn't get it to start again.

I also happened to notice JUGGLING PINS behind the front desk. So I asked the man if hejuggled. Sure enough, he said he'd entertain us. He told us he'd been wanting juggling pinssince he was 12 years old so he ordered a set on the Internet. On the day they arrived in themail, an hour and a half later his dad came over and brought him ANOTHER set of jugglingpins!

Janette treated us to raspberry coconut tarts while I filmed the man juggling for us.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f1ParAABLz4

When we got back to Aunt Anne's place we had a quick lunch of roast beef sandwiches.

Then we set off for the Horseless Carriage. During our walk we saw Joey and her husbandwho slowed down in their truck to briefly chat with us. Their three dogs were there too; Biscuit,Oreo and Shady.

At the Horseless Carriage, we enjoyed an amazing tour and saw so many wonderful things;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f1ParAABLz4http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f1ParAABLz4


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antique cars, music boxes, barrel organs, record players. I filmed plenty of video footage:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SmTCo4fHQMo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TiI--GYzJjA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qo26PEINLm8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0-cn3o2KMgQ

One thing the man showed us was an advertising clock. Every 30 seconds it would flip downa new page. I had to secretly chuckle because I thought about my digital picture frame.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NzxySJnXdIoWe got talking and I mentioned my Carousel Project. The man said why not just have mycarousel right HERE!! He'd be happy to use the space on his property! He also mentioned aman he knew in the amusements business, John Robinson from Albion Amusements whoactually has several empty carousel frames I can populate with my own animals!Wow! Thissounds too good to be true!

We bought a few interesting injittiments in the gift shop. I bought a cute pair of crafted leatherearrings. They had all different kinds shaped like different animals. I just couldn't resist thePIGS!! I'll probably wear them tomorrow.

When we got back to Aunt Anne's place there was a birthday present waiting for me on thedresser. My birthday is exactly a month from today and Aunt Anne's is close to mine. I cannever remember if it's the 25 th or 30th but in any case I want tho get her something in Northbay. Janette suggested another Siamese cat ornament but my aunt doesn't really collect themthat much anymore. In fact she just got rid of several to make room for other things. Many ofthe newer ornaments match the colour scheme of her dcor.

We then rested and napped for awhile until 3:00 and then we walked over to Jean's place. Ithad gotten even hotter and the walk took longer. When we got there Jean showed us themural she'd put together with all the panels I'd embroidered for her:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SmTCo4fHQMohttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TiI--GYzJjAhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qo26PEINLm8http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0-cn3o2KMgQhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NzxySJnXdIohttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SmTCo4fHQMohttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TiI--GYzJjAhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qo26PEINLm8http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0-cn3o2KMgQhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NzxySJnXdIo


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me. If that wasn't bad enough, after I came out of the washroom across the road shecontinued to yell and lecture me about my manners and my behaviour. She went on and onand on and on and on and on and on. Do the words Leave me alone and I don't want todiscuss it any further not mean anything even if I said PLEEEEEASE! I sat in the car andcried for what seemed like forever while Aunt Anne and Janette sat outside the place having acoffee. I think Aunt Anne over-reacted but there's no point discussing it any further.

I wouldn't be surprised if tensions were already starting to mount just outside of Kinmountbecause I was freezing from the air-conditioner and had to put my jacket on. I tried to do itwhen I was sitting in my seat but my jacket and seat-belt became horrendously intertwinedand my aunt had to pull over because I nearly strangled myself in this situation and had to getout of the car to get myself untangled and couldn't do so without her having to pull on mysleeve to get my arm out.

I hope nothing else stupid happens on this trip. At least my cigarette has taken the sharp edgeoff this horrendously cranky feeling.

Last night when we got back from Jean's place we hung out in the basement and read untilsupper time. For supper we had sausage on a bun with sauerkraut ad other condiments,veggies and potato salad.

Then Janette had a bath while I worked on the jigsaw puzzle.

Then I had a bath while Janette and Aunt Anne worked on the puzzle. I read one of the Archiecomics I'd bought at the used book store while I soaked. Aunt Anne's bathtub is nice and bigbut horrendously slippery. I couldn't help worrying about how I'd get out without falling butsomehow I'd managed to do so.

When I was finished with my bath Janette and Anne had completed the whole outside edge ofthe puzzle.

At least I slept reasonably well. Janette and I were both awake bright and early. It seemed totake forever until we were finally on the road.

At some point during the journey we saw a deer cross the road. I forget where. I've basicallybeen feeling like shit ever since my aunt bawled me out even though I've been trying to actperfect and pretend everything is okay. It's hard to act perfect when you're still feeling pissedoff. When my feelings are hurt they're hurt for a long time and there's no point trying to defendmyself in this situation.

7:15 pmHere we are. It seemed to take them forever to get our room ready and we watched them asthey changed our sheets. The pillowcases won't be ready for another hour. I plugged in myMP3 player to recharge. When they were gone I started crying again. Janette could hardlywait to go downtown to see the book store but she decided it wouldn't be a good idea to leaveme alone in the room.

I decided to have a soak in the tub. After a good soak and a few hearty giggles over myArchie comics I was good to go. But I didn't know what to wear. I ended up in the same black


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pants and rainbow tie-dye T-shirt I'd worn all day but I didn't put my pig earrings back on.

We made our way to the used book store. I sat down with a book about scrap-booking whileJanette did her own thing. I flipped through a few magazines feeling increasingly catatonic.Then I started reading Oprah's biography. I'd started to read it before in the library butremembered why I'd stopped. I went through the list of episodes and I just started bawling

again.

A lady came up and comforted me and I told her what my problem was. I said I was dreadingmy journey home because I felt like I was walking on eggshells because I didn't know whatwould set my aunt off. Maybe she's the one with the problem. she said. That made me feela bit better.

So as we left the book store I suggested to Janette that we go see the carousel after all.

Last time Janette had seen this area, every-thing was under construction. Now there was anunderpass where we made our way and the parking lot was all sand and gravel. It was like adream to see the carousel in the distance. The Winter Wonderland carousel was in full swingbut the North Bay Heritage carousel wasn't moving. It was broken! :( At least enough of itsdoors were open that I could take pictures of my beloved horses. I recognized them all fromthe pictures in the book; Dolly, Biscuit, Paddy's Pride, Sam, Jenny Lind and more!

Janette and I went for a ride on the train and I filmed our journey:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HNkhgtS8qGY

We then made our way to the carousel and had three rides.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dIcOMRgLW_UHere are some pictures I took of the Heritage carousel while it was out of commission:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HNkhgtS8qGYhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dIcOMRgLW_Uhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HNkhgtS8qGYhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dIcOMRgLW_U


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I rode a hippocampus while Janette rode a rabbit:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mRuihyct3AA

Then I rode a reindeer while Janette sat in the chariot. Last but not least, she rode a cutechipmunk in a pointy clown's hat while I rode a cougar. One thing that impressed me about

this carousel was how massively HUGE these animals were. The carousel itself was small. Infact I could actually touch the ceiling!

We then enjoyed some peaceful time down by the water's edge. Everything was so perfect,just watching the waves, feeling the breeze and hearing the birds sing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vy5bELJZYo0

Here are some pictures taken at the Winter Wonderland carousel:

We then made our way to the bus terminal to use the washroom. We were amazed by allthese bug we'd been seeing everywhere today in this area, around the carousel, in theunderpass and all over the doors of the bus terminal. I'm not sure if they're May flies ordragonfly nymphs.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mRuihyct3AAhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vy5bELJZYo0http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mRuihyct3AAhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vy5bELJZYo0


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As we made our way downtown we decided to have our supper at a place called the Moose.We both decided on the half chicken dinner with sweet potato fries. And we both felt like weneeded a good stiff drink. Janette had a Caesar and I had a beer. Her Caesar looked so godthat when I finished my beer I had one too. Neither of us got a buzz and I had a pretty efficientheadache.

One pleasant bonus while we were there though is that KISS' Detroit Rock City was playing.

On our way back to the hotel we stopped at the convenience store to get a few things. Ibought a lighter, some tangerine shampoo and cupcakes. Janette bought cupcakes too and afew other things, As soon as we went outside I had a smoke. That seemed to make myheadache go away.

Now we're just vegging out in our room.

A friend is not a fellowwho is taken in by sham

He is one who knows our faultsand doesn't give a damn

Day Four: Saturday June 30th, 20121:40 pm. Here I sit just outside the book store while Janette has a look around.

We had trouble getting up this morning. My shoulders were really sore. I felt as I I were a ragdoll that someone had picked up and twirled by the arms. I had several fretful dreamsincluding one where we brought hard-boiled eggs to the motel room and I cracked one openonly to find it entirely filled with an embryo. The embryo was wearing glasses and a red=and-white beanie of all things.

I must have had to go to the bathroom at least two or three times that night. It felt like thenight would never end. At one point I had to turn off the air conditioner because I was freezingonly to turn it back on again because I was too hot.


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We gradually scraped ourselves out of bed and headed out for breakfast at a place calledNancy's. Janette had bacon and eggs with toast and home fries and I had pancakes withbacon and home fries. I could not finish my potatoes.

I had to write down the poem that hung on the wall.

We then made our way toward the carousel, having a look in the museum gift shop. I boughtmyself a couple post cards and a little train engine for Dave. I filmed video footage of themodel trains that zoomed around on tracks near the ceiling.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I2zTbffbk8A

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vMVhxXmvlEI&feature=relmfu

We were delighted to see that the carousel was actually running today. I was going to rideDolly first but her saddle was way too small so I rode Biscuit. Dolly is based on Illions' Flamehorse and Biscuit is a jumping version of Muller's Ghost horse. Janette rode DreamWeaver, an early PTC-style horse with all kinds of beautiful flowers.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HyJ8CXOGZJw

We then had a second ride. This time I was on Sir Winsalot while Janette headed for the otherside of the carousel to ride the rocking Blue Heron chariot.

My third ride was an inside-row armoured horse named Raphael while Janette rode anoutside row horse. I forget which one.

We then went for another ride on the train. After our train ride we decided to forget about anymore carousel rides for the time being as the place was being taken over by the baby parade.

We made our way back through the underpass where the acoustics made for some time ofsilliness, making crazy noises and listening to our voices echo to let off some steam:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ivo9RHVXnI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I2zTbffbk8Ahttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vMVhxXmvlEI&feature=relmfuhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HyJ8CXOGZJwhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ivo9RHVXnIhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I2zTbffbk8Ahttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vMVhxXmvlEI&feature=relmfuhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HyJ8CXOGZJwhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ivo9RHVXnI


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Then we headed downtown where we had a look in the antique store which is also a shoestore. My eyes were drawn to a magnificent white Dentzel carousel horse mounted on arocker.

Janette continued to look around the shop. I had to find a washroom. The lady recommendedthe one at Subway. It was so nice to use a toilet that doesn't TIP OVER! The one in our hotelroom nearly threw me TWICE today!

After having relieved myself I bought a bottled water and Janette and I headed for PizzaPizza. She ordered the Super Classic and chocolate milk. I got the Mediterranean veggieslice and a Brio. I'm still feeling bummed out thinking about the situation with my aunt.

At this moment Janette is still looking around the bookstore while I wait here on this bench.There was actually a brief sprinkle of rain. And now the shadows have shifted so my bench isnow completely in the shade. There are dead Shad flies all over the place.

Shad flies. That's what these things are called. The bugs that I'd thought were May flies ordragon fly nymphs. There were actually Shad fly T-shirts at the gift shop. Janette boughtherself a purple one.

11:35 pm.When Janette came out of the book store we made our way into a couple other shopsincluding one where Edna Scott had some of her work on display. She had several prints forsale, mostly flowers or carousel horses, and several carousel greeting cards. I chose one ofSanta Claus riding a Dentzel thoroughbred.

We then headed toward the ice cream shop. Sure enough there was a couple with a baby

ahead of us. Keep right on going we quietly thought out loud. But in they went. We put onour listening devices and lurked in the shadows at the back of the shop until they were gone.They seemed to hang around forever. Each time we thought they were leaving they'd movedown a few feet and stop for a few more minutes. They seemed to hover around in thedoorway for ages. When they left I tapped Janette on the shoulder and pointed She held fortwhile I ordered my sundae first. Mine had peanut butter & chocolate and Chocolate Monkeyice cream with chocolate sauce, caramel, whipped cream and nuts. Janette had the sametoppings with Tiger Tail and chocolate-chip cookie dough ice cream.


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We found ourselves feeling irritable on our way back to the room. Still no toilet paper or pillowcases. I asked the manager and he said he'd work on it. Several minutes went by so I wentback and asked if we could please have our toilet paperNOW?We only had two or threesheets left on our roll so he gave us two rolls. We still don't have our pillowcases. But at leastwe can live without pillowcases. We can't very well live without toilet paper.

And during this time we also decided to give Edna Scott a call. We got into a bit of a kerfufflebecause Janette didn't have her own cell phone number memorized and had to go searchingfor it. It turns out I had it in my little yellow address book all along but it never occurred to meto look there. Meanwhile I felt all stupid and embarrassed, worried that Edna might not wantto have us over or want anything to do with us the way we were bickering when we weretrying to call her. At least we'd just gotten her answering machine. Once again I felt underattack for being rude, making a fool of myself and making a bad impression.

Fortunately, the phone rang less than five minutes later. Janette almost never receivesincoming calls on her cell phone because she usually either talks to me when I call her atwork or lets her voice mail take it. We were surprised by the sound of a good old-fashionedrotary bell. My landlord has the very same ring tone when I've heard him working downstairsat home.

We were relieved it was Edna and she's looking forward to meeting us after all. She couldtotally relate to our kerfuffle as she'd been having problems with her own phone too. Bell hadchanged her system and she 'd just been spending the last three days trying to figure it out.She's picking us up here Monday morning at 11:00. I've put together a gift bag with a fewgoodies for her.

We rested for awhile while I worked on the Collector's Edition horses I brought with me.

Then we went to the Chinese restaurant for dinner. We were led to a funny little enclosurewith curtains. Sure it was secluded but I found it oddly stuffy and a bit claustrophobic. I sort ofhalf-joked to Janette that this is where they hide the ugly customers. Both our combos werebasically the same except that I had shrimp and she had chicken balls. There didn't seem tobe any alcohol served here so we just stuck with our water.

Then when we got back to our room we had MORE DRAMA! Our toilet was CLOGGED! Iwent to the manager but I rang the doorbell several times and got no answer. A lady comingout of one of the other rooms told me he had just stepped out. He's always just stepped out Igrumbled and immediately regretted having said that and hated myself all over again.

Once again I was under attack for being rude as usual. I started having suicidal thoughts. I'dwished that I hadn't been born and that the world was a better place without me and that Ican't do ANYTHING right!

I phoned Dave crying wishing I were home and dreading the journey.

Then Janette and I prayed together. There was a hissing sound in the bathroom. She flushedthe toilet and it was fine. For now anyway. It's still not quite right.

The manager came to our door with a plunger but we didn't need his help after all.


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This time she was on Dolly.

She was going to go for one more ride on the train. I noticed the increasing population of totsin strollers so I made my way to the benches along the lake shore and agreed that she'dcatch up with me.

As I walked to the benches I saw the train go by and waved, thinking she was on it. Then Iremembered she wasn't wearing her orange sheep T-shirt today, She had gone for one moreride on the Winter Wonderland carousel, this time on the hippocampus. I have just beensitting here watching the boats out on the lake and here we've been ever since.

8:25 pmOn our way back to the hotel we stopped at Nancy's for lunch. I had the BLT and Janette hadthe chicken wrap.

We then went back to the Nutty Chocolatier where we had ice cream for dessert. Both of useach had a scoop of Tiger Tail but Janette also had a scoop of Chocolate Monkey and I hadBear Claw.

While we were there I bought some Spearmint Leaves for Dave as well as a few packets ofBritish Crisps; Steak & Onion flavour and Worcestershire sauce. I also bought Aunt Anne abox of chocolates. It's hard to find an appropriate combination thank you/early birthday giftwhen I am still struggling with feelings of anger and resentment. I feel like nothing's goodenough. Nothing I do will ever be good enough and nothing I find could ever be appropriate.Besides, this is one of the few places open today. NOTHING is open tomorrow.

We then went back to our room and rested for the next couple hours. Janette read while Iworked on my horses.

At around 5:30 or so we headed back out for supper. We found this place called Cecil's. Wewere glad they could make us MARGARITAS!! Janette ordered the fish and chips and I hadthe Philly cheese-steak.

Unfortunately, our meal was ruined when a family with two little girls came along. The olderone was six or seven and she was okay but she was expected to look after her younger sisterwho was an absolute holy terror. She kept running around all over the place and wheneveranyone grabbed her and tried to take her back to her seat she'd scream and cry! Even ourlistening devices couldn't block her out. Especially since she kept wanting to hover aroundOUR table! We were so angry we wished we could just ditch the place and make THEM payfor our tab! Our Margaritas totally had no buzz because of their abominable behaviour!.

Our next stop was the convenience store where we stocked up on chocolate goodies and Ibroke down and bought myself a pack of smokes. The cashier could totally sympathize whenI said I wished I could score some POT!! I also bought myself a colourful ashtray that had apicture of a cannabis leaf with swirly colours. When we got back to our motel room I toldJanette about something my dad said when I was a kid. It may have been a joke. He oncesaid that the Irish once had something called Point Roast. They were too poor to afford toeat anything but potatoes and there'd be a small piece of meat on the table, not big enough tofeed the whole family so while they were eating their potatoes they would point to the roast.


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Well, I'm having POINT POT! Seriously I wish they'd legalize the stuff. The subject came up atthe breakfast table with Doug this morning and again with the lady in the convenience store.

Since we've been here we haven;t bothered with TV. I find the majority of stuff on TVnowadays seems to fall into three basic categories 1. Bad News, 2. Annoying Commercials 3.People Behaving Badly. No wonder the world is so screwed up and likely desensitized.

Since I've been here I'm surprised to discover that my denim scalloped-edged Capri pantshave actually gotten baggy on me! How could I be losing weight with all the crap we've beeneating? Well, we have done a lot of walking and since it's not nearly as hot here as it is inOshawa, walking hasn't been as strenuous. The climate has been great. I've really enjoyedthe cool breeze off the lake. And maybe smoking, even if it has been in moderation, hasincreased my metabolism. Not to mention since yesterday I've been pooping like a plow-horse. It's a wonder that I wasn't the one who clogged the toilet but I probably gave it a goodscare.

12:10 amWill I EVER get to sleep?

While we were relaxing in our room we heard the sound of loud explosions. Fireworks!! Weran outside and were surprised and delighted that we could actually see them very well fromour motel parking lot. What a thrill! We could probably see them just as well if not better thanall the people who were crowded at the park! I filmed the whole show on my camera, I did it inthree short segments because if I shot the whole scene continuously I was afraid it might bemore difficult to upload when the time came. This will be something to look forward to on myMP3 player.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TgJK3Je102g

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9S7b1aAfioM&feature=relmfu

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xQ1cIaoLzTc

I'm worried about Janette. She looks awfully pale. Neither of us have been in a very goodmood this evening even though the fireworks cheered us up for awhile.

Once again I am feeling depressed, hating myself. I feel fat, ugly and repulsive and I basicallyjust want to crawl into a hole and die.

I talked to Dave but ran out of cell phone minutes and got cut off without any warning.

I have just felt so guilty and depressed for so much of this trip that I hope I don't end up in thehospital.

I try to concentrate about the POSITIVE things about this trip. The carousel has NO WEIGHTLIMIT and there's a BATHTUB in our motel room. But I feel like my sanity and my health aredangling from a thread that has been gradually fraying. My head aches. I can't sleep. At leastwe're seeing Edna tomorrow. Fear of anymore drama has been a constant source of anxiety.I'm even afraid Janette and I may end up fighting. We've both been so irritable. I'm afraid I'm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TgJK3Je102ghttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9S7b1aAfioM&feature=relmfuhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xQ1cIaoLzTchttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TgJK3Je102ghttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9S7b1aAfioM&feature=relmfuhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xQ1cIaoLzTc


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not much fun to be around when I've been so depressed. Part of me just wants to hide fromeveryone and everything.

One thing's for sure, I'll never take a dry bathroom floor for granted again!

Day Six, Monday July, 2nd, 2012

8:10 am. Well I'm up and dressed. Running out of underwear so I washed two pairs in theshower. I also ended up washing my black pants in the sink. It is almost impossible to doanything in that place without making a wet mess.

I thought I'd NEVER get to sleep last night. I could not get comfortable. My arms and legswere hurting right where they're attached to my body and my thoughts kept racing. I had thisweird, hollow feeling in the pit of my stomach. I half expected to give up the ghost!

4:10 pm. Had a FABULOUS time at Edna's place! She came here to pick us up at 10:30 andwe presented her with the gift bag containing Honeymoon Horse #2, a couple buttons andcolouring books.First we went for lunch at this place near the golf course. The first thing we saw when wewalked in was a baby so I suggested we eat outside. I'm glad Edna was understanding.Babies make me and Janette both as nervous as long-tailed cats in a room full of rockingchairs. We all ordered coffee, Edna ordered a salad and Janette and I ordered Nachos. Ioffered to treat us all. Everything tastes better outside anyway. It was nice not to have to hurryand it didn't matter that our food took so long to come. While Edna and I talked aboutcarousels, Janette went off exploring. I showed Edna many pictures that were on my MP3player.

When our food finally came, Janette was quite a distance away. I went YOO-HOOO! so loudthat I startled myself, not to mention the poor guy a few tables down from us. I found my foodgetting quickly cold because we were talking so much. It's so good to have a kindred spirit totalk about carousels with!

We enjoyed the drive to her house. The weather was perfect and the scenery was gorgeous.

The carousel was gorgeous although quite small. There was at least one Allan Herschellhorse, a few small Hector Ortega figures including Porky Pig and Scrooge McDuck and aDentzel prancer. There was also a zebra that had come from a track machine. It was funtaking pictures of Fluffy, Waddle and the dolls posed on all the different animals.


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We took a ride in the bench together and then I took a ride on the Dentzel prancer. ThenJanette had a ride on the Allan Herschell horse.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z-cF89Y9S2o

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u5_6dsJuhyY

Edna lives in such a beautiful house on such gorgeous property. A smaller building makes fora lovely little studio. She showed us the art she has chosen for her rounding boards. She haspainted all the scenery panels on her own carousel. One of them had a picture of a deer. Shementioned how they've been eating everything in her garden except the Canterbury bells.

In her living room she had a gorgeous scale model of all the animals from the WinterWonderland carousel. All these animals are made out of Sculpey. There was also a beautifulrare German bucking bronco with a leather saddle in her living room.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z-cF89Y9S2ohttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u5_6dsJuhyYhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z-cF89Y9S2ohttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u5_6dsJuhyY


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We enjoyed sitting by the lake with cold drinks and buttertarts. Edna had a group of kids toentertain so Janette and I just hung out by the lake. Janette went off exploring while I just sat

and rested. A cute little chipmunk went running by.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aTwJXbxAepk

I stepped into the water and waded for awhile.

The problem with being left on my own too long is that my mind starts to wander. The DarkCloud of Gloom was beginning to hover over me again.

Before we left we had one more ride on the carousel. Janette sat in the bench while I rode theDentzel mare again.

On our way back to the motel we pulled up to Dr. Dafoe's house but it was closed. That wasokay with me. Even though we had a wonderful time today I was glad to come back here for anap.

But so far I've done anything BUT nap! I've been working on embroidering my horses andwriting in here.

I'm very thankful for today's outing, It was nice to meet Edna and ride her carousel.

If my Aunt Anne really does move out of her house 6 or 7 years from now I really wish I could

buy her house. That extra cabin would make a perfect studio. But I need a car, I need adriver's license and I need a plan to get rich by the time I'm 55. At least I don't feel like I needa cigarette at this moment.

Edna says they're talking about building more carousels. When and if I ever do go back toNorth Bay again we are taking the TRAIN and staying at the DAYS INN!! It's nice to konwthere is one just down the road from here. I am so sick of the bathroom floor always beingwet.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aTwJXbxAepkhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aTwJXbxAepk


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11:05 pmWe set out for dinner at around 6:00. Both of us wanted something we could just take backand eat here in our room. Janette had her heart set on Chinese food from the place where weate the other night but I found myself catting over their menu. It's funny but there's justsomething about that place that makes me feel irritable and klutzy. It's as if everything'sclosing in on me.

So I decided to go to Mr. Submarine instead where I ordered a seafood wrap with blackolives, hot peppers, mushrooms, tomato and pineapple. Janette had no cutlery so shefashioned herself a makeshift scoop from a piece of her lid.

After supper I worked on my horses for the next little while. Horses 4, 5 and 6 are allcompletely embroidered, They just need their manes. I can't believe I'm out of purple thread.

All those little details add up so fast.

I dread trying to sleep tonight because I'm scared of being kept awake by racing thoughtsagain. I've been having so many flashbacks about working for Maggie. And the Hospital. Iknow this sounds strange but I honestly can't remember whether or not Aunt Anne visited mewhile I was there. I remember my mom and Jean. And I remember Dave and my in-laws. Whycan't I remember if Aunt Anne visited me? There are huge holes in my memory from thatexperience and the days leading up to it. Maybe it's for my protection in case there are thingsI'm not supposed to remember. If I wasn't taking medication these days God knows where I'dbe. The last thing I need is to be out aimlessly wandering the streets at night for no apparentreason. My meds keep me grounded and focused. I just wish my thoughts would shut up andlet me sleep. It's enough to make me wonder if I should leave the light on tonight.

Last night I had kind of a creepy dream about the circus. It was very strange and fragmentedand made no sense.

Day 7, Tuesday July 3rd

I am happy to say it has been a peaceful and drama-free journey. It has been raining on andoff all day. Janette and I had coffee and cinnamon buns for breakfast at Mr. Submarine.

Before going back to the motel we checked out the counseling centre across the street. Ineeded to talk to a professional to help me cope with the idea of today's journey. I am verythankful for the lady whom I spoke with. She was very understanding and gave me goodadvice. Make sure I have my needs taken care of before I leave so that I'll be comfortable andboth she and Dave had advised me to sit in the back seat on the way home so I'll have a littlemore privacy and personal space.

Last night I started reading A Million Little Pieces by James Frey out loud to Janette. It issuch a fascinating story about a drug addict in rehab. My group had started reading it at theclubhouse. It was kind of a release to read about someone whose problems were worse thanmine. I'm curious to find out what made him like this.

Checkout time was 11:00 but it was raining and we didn't have anywhere else to go so theylet us stay in our room until my aunt showed up. While Janette was asking the manager aboutthe room I had to go to the bathroom really badly. I heard her banging on the door while I wasin there trying to hurry. We nearly had some more drama because we had one hell of a time


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trying to get that crazy door open.

I read more of the book to Janette. We were engrossed in the poor protagonist's ordeal at thedentist when my aunt showed up early.

Tim Horton's wasn't as bad as I'd thought it would be. Janette went off to the visitor's centre

while I stood in line with my aunt who placed our order and I picked up the tab for us all. AuntAnne and I had egg salad sandwiches and Janette's was chicken salad. Janette gave me acouple bucks toward a pack of Tim-Bits. We ate in the car and were soon on our way.

I listened to my MP3 player for awhile too until I noticed my aunt was singing. I turned off myown music so I could sing along with her to the Anne Murray CD she had playing.

Along the way we took a wrong turn but the place we stayed at was a good place to take thedog out and Janette and I to take a washroom break.

The rest of the journey seemed to go by quickly enough. Janette and I were glad we weretaking a different route home this time so we wouldn't have to pass THAT place! Instead, wearrived via Fenelon Falls where we stopped at Sobey's to pick up a barbecued chicken andassorted salads for our supper.

We are back at Aunt Anne's place now, having just eaten, resting in our room. I am so gratefulfor a dry bathroom floor and a toilet that doesn't keep tipping over and leaking!

All in all I'm willing to give North Bay another chance again someday. Only next time we'restaying at the Days Inn.

And I'm willing to give Aunt Anne another chance again as long as I know how not to get onher bad side again.

Frankly, I'm EXHAUSTED! I feel like I could sleep for a week!

Epilogue

I am still alive and well even though it was a major pain to write out my good copy of this trip.Everything is okay even though all I felt like doing was sleeping the first few days I came backfrom Oshawa.

I have to laugh when I read the reviews in Trip Advisor about the place where we stayed:

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g155000-d1390626-Reviews-Sands_Motor_Inn-North_Bay_Ontario.html

EVERYBODY HATESthis place! NOBODY has anything good to say about it! I can't believewe stayed there FIVE nights!
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g155000-d1390626-Reviews-Sands_Motor_Inn-North_Bay_Ontario.htmlhttp://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g155000-d1390626-Reviews-Sands_Motor_Inn-North_Bay_Ontario.htmlhttp://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g155000-d1390626-Reviews-Sands_Motor_Inn-North_Bay_Ontario.htmlhttp://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g155000-d1390626-Reviews-Sands_Motor_Inn-North_Bay_Ontario.html


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And that book we were enjoying reading so much,A Million Little Pieces by James Freyitwas FAKE! The whole story was NOT real! I found out from Dave's nurse when I only had afew chapters left and Janette found out from a co-worker. No wonder Oprah was so mad!Surely there has to be some truth to it somewhere! Obviously he has to have done hisresearch to create such a convincing tale.

Meanwhile I haven't smoked another cigarette since the day after I got back and I know drugswon't solve my problem. It was probably for our own protection that we couldn't score any andmostly my anger talking to begin with.

There WILL be a NEXT time and when there is we'll DO THINGS OUR WAY!!!

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