Walking down memory lane can be an enriching experience, but sometimes a haunting one as well. As we trekked towards the heart of the property I was overcome by both a joy and sadness.
This is a beautiful place. My great-great grandfather cleared this land, all 100 hundred + acres of it, back in the 1880's. My great grandmother and grandmother were both born here. There is a lot of history...history of my ancestors, thus my history as well. I am tied to this land.
As I walked down that roadway I felt as if I were coming home. But it is not my home. Perhaps one day it will be.
I was happy to see that it is still a working farm with some cattle and chickens. The new owners also have done quite a nice job keeping the property in good condition. It looked much the same as when it did when I was a child. Even though my grandmother was so sad when the property was sold {by a second cousin who inherited the farm}, I think that she would be pleased with how the current inhabitants have treated the land.
A portrait of my grandmother's brothers and sisters, my grandmother being the baby. Circa 1924 on the family farm.
A painting of the farm done by a cousin. 
Us setting off!
A place where we took a moment to stretch our legs, close to Dorset Ontario
A gaggle of folks & family ended showing up not too long after we got there, and we had a corn roast, just in time for Lughnasadh. ;) {As an aside, the local organic corn of Minden might perhaps be the best I have ever had!} Anyhoo, here are quite a few photos of my adventures and my Aunts luverly home!
First, meet Riley & Niko:
My Cousin's dog, Riley. I only got the one photo of him 'cause I had 'misplaced' my camera {how convenient for my Mom...lol, long story!}, and he was gone by the time I found it, so I only got the one shot of him.
This is my Aunt's dog, Niko
Here are a few random shots of inside her house:
Flowers from her garden
A cracked out froggie living in the ivy
Spike, the giant aloe and his kids
The bed in one of the guest rooms
Detail of the bed
A chair for large fannies
Detail of the chair
This photo has sacred and natural objects that were collected by my Grandmother...notice the anomaly?
Another anomaly
Here are a few photos her beautiful property:
This is where two of my Aunt's cats are buried
A rather crappy photo of one of the many Ruby-throated humming birds that hang out at my Aunt's
Resting our tootsies in the moss!
And lastly, here are some places that we went to. First, the Shoe Tree of Minden:
A local First Nations healing arts and new age centre:
We had stopped for a few minutes to check out a little store, and all of a sudden a young White Tailed buck (or stag), tried to run in the middle of the road and came inches from being hit. Thankfully he did a right turn and moved away from danger. He sailed right past us and stopped to take a breather for a moment.
Our young deer friend going into the woods
Well, that is all.
Heading back home.
