Smile for Today:

Two confirmed bachelors were sitting and talking. Their conversation drifted to the subject of cooking. "I got a cookbook once," said the first bachelor, "but I could never do anything with it."
"Too much fancy cooking in it, eh?" asked the second bachelor.
"You said it. Every one of the recipes began the same way: 'Take a clean dish and..."

(Above is not the opinion of the editor!) The Little Big Book of Laughter, 2004 Welcome Books
Check out our Recipe Book section at The Neat Little Bookshop.

Day of One Thousand Canoes ~

For a preview of this event, visit http://www.1000canoes.com/ and click on News and Stories for a recent radio interview with co-founder, Blaine Nicholls. Blaine talks with Andrew on That Channel WMV about the Grand River canoe festival, Saturday, June 25, 2011.

Photo: Viking Boat, curtesy of James Walker; Photo: Caledonia on The Grand River, Lorna

Thought for Today ~

"All things at first appear difficult."

~ Chinese Proverb

Pure Passion and Steady Purpose ~
"...as if in coincidence with the theme of his reflections, he fixed his eyes on the polar star, which that night twinkled with more than ordinary brilliancy. Emblem of pure passion and steady purpose ~ the thoughts which arose as he viewed its clear and unchanging light, were disinterested and noble. To seek his country's welfare, and secure the blessings of domestic peace."
~ Peveril in Peveril of the Peak, 1822

SirWalter Scott - 1771 - 1832
Scottish historical novelist and poet
Classics: Ivanhoe, Rob Roy, Lady of the Lake.
Scott began studies at the University of Edinburgh at the age of twelve, eventually becoming a lawyer.
A biography of Sir Walter Scott ~ Wikipedia

Village of York on The Grand River
(For larger images, click 3X on photos)

Day of One Thousand Canoes
Questions we are being asked:

When is departure time on the Day of 1000 Canoes?
Where do we register? Who do we talk to about volunteering?

Start Time and Location: 9 am - 11 am Unload, park, sign in, eat, enjoy entertainment, then launch according to ticket number. Caledonia Fair Grounds, Hwy. # 54 (Caithness St. E, Caledonia)
Volunteer? Assistance is planned for canoeists at three locations: Caledonia Fairgrounds, Village of York (Hwy # 54) and Cayuga, Bob Baigent Memorial Park.
Please contact Lorna in The Neat Little Bookshop or by email lorna@1000canoes.com Phone number, anytime, 905-577-5635. Registration forms available online http://www.1000canoes.com/ also in the bookshop.

For larger image of poster please click on photo.

Smile for Today:

"I have traveled the length and breadth of this country and talked with the best people, and I can assure you that data processing is a fad that won't last out the year."

~ The Editor in charge of business books for Prentice Hall, 1957

The Little Big Book of Laughter,Welcome Books, 2004. Edited by Katrina Fried & Lena Tabori

Lilac Season

Mount Olivet Community Gathers for a Pie Social.
Saturday, May 21, 2011

Photos: Lorna

More Rotten Reviews: take heart all writers ~ Many a good book received bad reviews.

THE BELL JAR, Sylvia Plath ~ "Highly autobiographical and...since it represents the views of a girl enduring a bout of mental illness, dishonest." 1971

TROPIC OF CAPRICORN, Henry Miller ~ "...a flamboyant failure." "...a gadfly with delusions of grandeur."

ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO'S NEST, Ken Kesey ~ "Kesey builds up an atmosphere of real horror and significance and then dispels it ineffectively with some quite misplaced slapstick. The book never gets back firmly on the track and a flurry of activity at the end isn't quite lively enough to disguise the fact that it's getting nowhere." 1962

CLAN OF THE CAVE BEAR, Jean Auel ~ "We are very impressed with the depth and scope of your research and the quality of your prose. Nevertheless, the length presents a unique problem, for production costs are rising and the reading public are reluctant to bjuy expensive novels unless the author has an established reputation such as the one enjoyed by James Michener. In any case, we don't think we could distribute enough copies to satisfy you or ourselves." 1980
"Nature fits all her children with something to do,
He who would write and can't write, can surely review."
~ James Russell Lowell

Rotten Reviews: Some of the best authors have received rotten reviews.

THE WAR OF THE WORLDS, H. G. Wells ~ "An endless nightmare. I do not believe it would take...I think the verdict would be 'Oh don't read that horrid book.' "

ALICE IN WONDERLAND, Lewis Carroll ~ "We fancy that any real child might be more puzzled than enchanted by this stiff, overwrought story." 1865

LADY CHATTERLEY'S LOVER, D. H. Lawrence ~ "D. H. Lawrence has a diseased mind. He is obsessed by sex...we have no doubt that he will be ostracized by all except the most degenerate coteries in the literary world." 1928

THE CATCHER IN THE RYE, J. D. Salinger ~ ""Recent war novels have accustomed us all to ugly words and images, but from the mouths of the very young and protected they sound peculiarly offensive...the ear refuses to believe." 1951

Writers take heart! When Huckleberry Finn was banned by the Concord Massachusetts public library, Mark Twain exulted: "That will sell 25,000 books for sure!"

Rotten Reviews & Reflections, Pushcart Press, 1998

Tomorrow: More bad reviews

A Canadian Story Makes Us Proud

"A hand up, not a handout," Project Manager, Shane Carmichael.

Carmichael divides his time between Louisiana and Haldimand, Ontario. He is co-founder of Day of 1000 Canoes. www.1000canoes.com
Article in The Hamilton Spector, May 18, 2011
The Canadian Press (Click 3X on photo for larger image.)

Footpath Along the Grand Valley Trail

In York, the trail winds past the door of an early inn, Enniskillen Lodge, formerly the Mansion House. The white blazes are readily visible on road signs, posts and utility poles.

Photos by Lorna (Click 3X on photo for larger image.)

A Single white blaze, a white mark about five cm by fifteen cm, indicates the path. Two blazes placed one above the other indicate a change of direction -- the top blaze offset to the left or right.

The Grand Valley Trail Association, a charitable foundation, was founded in 1972. Portions of the footpath were later supported by various organizations. http://www.gvta.on.ca/

A Series, including historical notes, "Take-a-Hike" by Bill Haartman can be accessed on the GVTA website.

Grand Valley Trails Association

Guidebook*

A valuable guide for anyone planning a hike along the footpath in the Grand River Valley. Including historical notes, points of interest, description of flora and fauna. Advisory on hiking requirements. Removable maps convenient for hiking specific sections of the trail.

A fascinating read even if you are not planning a hike!

*Available at The Neat Little Bookshop $30

For larger image, please click on photo.

I Found Loveliness Today

I found loveliness today
Down along life's broad highway ~

Saw its beauty in the trees,
Heard it whisper in the breeze,
Listed it in songbird's trill,
Then again in flowering rill,
Felt its warmth in glad sunshine,
Rhythm caught in swaying pine ~

All along life's broad highway
I found loveliness today.

I found loveliness today
Down along life's broad highway ~

Beauty within pastures green,
Next in clouds of silvery sheen,
Golden glow at break of day,
Joy in children at their play.
Scented odor of wild rose;
Peace I found where violet grows ~

All along life's broad highway
I found loveliness today.

~ Carleton Everett Knox

(Photo: Lorna)

Summer Sports

The Courts are Open

The Neat Little Bookshop is closed at 5:00 p.m. Friday, May 13. We appreciate your patronage and sincerely apologize for any inconvenience.
Also, Saturday, May 14. Thank you. We can be reached by telephone 905-577-5635.
Just a reminder: Visit http://www.1000canoes.com/ and mark Saturday, June 25 on your calendar.

Photos: The Grand River, York, Ontario

Tennis Court Park ~ Cayuga-On-The-Grand

More Underage Advice:
Real pearls of wisdom offered by children

"If you want a kitten, start out by asking for a horse." ~ Naomi, Age 8

"Don't pull Dad's finger when he tells you to." ~ Emily, Age 10

"When you get a bad grade at school, show it to your mom when she's on the phone." ~ Alyesha, Age 13

"Never trust a dog to watch your food." ~ Patrick, Age 10

"Don't squat with your spurs on." ~ Noronha, Age 13

"Never hold a dust-buster and a cat at the same time." ~ Kyoyo, Age 9

Underage Advice:

"Never try to baptise a cat." ~ Eileen, Age 8

"When your mom is mad at your dad, don't let her brush your hair." ~ Taylia, Age 11

"Stay away from prunes." ~ Randy, Age 9

"Puppies still have bad breath even after eating a Tic Tac." ~ Andrew, Age 9

"Felt pens are not good to use as lipstick."~Lauren, 9

"When your dad is mad and asks you, 'Do I look stupid?' don't answer him."
~ Michael, Age 14

from The Little Big Book of Laughter, Katrina Fried & Lena Tabori, Welcome Books, 2004

This one comes from Kimberly Jeffrey, Grindstone Creek Gallery & Pottery Studio, Cayuga, Ontario ~

I've travelled the world twice over
Met the famous: saints and sinner,
Poets and artists, kings and queens,
Old stars and hopeful beginners,
I've been where no one's been before,
Learned secrets from writers and cooks
All with one library ticket
To the wonderful world of books.

~ Janice James

Thanks Kim
(Source unknown)

Along The Grand

Click 3X on Photo ~ There is a fisherman on the bank.

WHO HAS SEEN THE WIND?

Who has seen the wind?
Neither I nor you:
But when the leaves hang trembling,
The wind is passing through.

Who has seen the wind?
Neither you nor I:
But when the trees bow down their heads,
The wind is passing by.

~ Christina Rossetti (1830 - 1894) English poet

Your Smile For Today ~

"My son was about seven when he looked into our wedding album and said, "Pop, are these pictures of the day Mom came to work for us?"

~ Milton Berle (1908 - 2002) American comedian, actor
The Little Big Book of Laughter, Welcome Books, 2004

How Did You Spend Mother's Day?

In a little book, Precious Solitude, the author describes our inner sense of knowing what to do.

Affirmations that can change your life:

I deserve to take time for me today.
I have all the time I need to do the important things in my life and still have time for me.
I am worthy of my own special time to do in it whatever I wish.

~Ruth Fishel, Precious Solitude, Adams Media Corporation, 1999

Happy Mother's Day ~

"The heart hath its own memory,
like the mind,
and in it are enshrined
the precious keepsakes
into which is wrought
the giver's loving thought."

~ Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807 - 1882)

Photo:

Author Cheryl MacDonald. Compliments of Catherine Berry Stidsen, Cottonwood Mansion Victorian Book Fair 2011.

Signs of Spring Photo ~ taken May 5 ~ Lookout over The Grand River Cayuga

Your Community Calendar ~

May 7, Sat. Victorian Book Fair Cottonwood Mansion 1 - 4 p.m. (Reservations 905-772-3790 and $20 admission required for guest speaker MAUREEN JENNINGS, 2:00 p.m.) General admission: free. See you there. http://www.cottonwoodmansion.ca/

May 7, Sat. Ruthven Park Visit http://www.ruthvenpark.ca/ for numerous exciting May events including Mother's Day.

May 7, Sat. Lionesses' Spring Sale Scout Hall, Munsee St. (Hwy. 54.) Cayuga. 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

June 4, Sat. Evening of Murder, Mystery and Mayhem, Cottonwood Mansion. (Info: 905-776-5391)

June 4, Sat. Crash Scene Re-enactment, Cayuga Village Green, King St.

June 18, Sat. Street Jam By-The-Grand 3 on 3 Tournament Haldimand Huskies Basketball League. Location: King St. and Cayuga St.

June 18, Sat. Village-Wide Yard Sale (Participate! Here's your big chance! Contact The Cayuga and District Chamber of Commerce.)

June 25, Sat. Day of 1000 Canoes Go online http://www.1000canoes.com/ for information. Watch bookshop blog for more details.


June 25, Sat. Grindstone Creek Gallery ~ Pottery Studio & Gift Store An exciting new business opening on King St., downtown Cayuga. Watch for details.

(Photo of Grand River taken last spring)

"Classics which at home are drowsily read have a strange charm in a country inn, or in the transom of a merchant brig."

~ Ralph Waldo Emerson, English Traits

The Writer And The Reader ~ A Book of Literary Quotations, Blandford Press, 1984. Neil Ewart.

Photo Restoration ~

Contact us for Photo Restoration of old, worn and faded photos. Professional quality, high resolution photo prints. Check out our website for great photos and information http://www.suntoearthphotography.com/

Many of us have inappropriate storage boxes or old albums containing forgotten family photographs. In some cases, photos were proudly displayed with little concern for fading. Often precious ancestral portraits were damaged over the years. Our experience is that when care is taken to restore these treasures, they become meaningful gifts for mothers, fathers, grandparents, even siblings and friends!

Come by the bookshop. Bring some artifacts with you or contact Scott personally
email: suntoearthphotography@gmail.com

"In a well-furnished library, we possess the power to call upon the minds of the greatest men who ever existed. We can question Xenophon and Caesar on their campaigns, make Demosthenes and Cicero plead before us, join in the audiences of Socrates and Plato and receive demonstrations from Euclid, Shakespeare and Newton. In books we have the choicest thoughts of the ablest men in their best dress."

~ Alfred Montapert, Author, Business Executive

Thank you on behalf of the civilized world to the U.S.A heroes ~ the Navy SEALs and the Special Ops ~ who stormed the Pakistani multi-million dollar compound.

"Of all the human relaxations which are free from guilt, none so dignified as reading."

~ Sir Samuel Egerton Brydges, The Ruminator, No. 24
(1762 - 1839) English bibliographer.

Bird with ~ Boy with Book ~ For larger image, please double-click on picture.

If you really have nothing better to do, see the angelic boy statue in all seasons by clicking on Labels: "Seasons."