Yesterday’s weather on the South Channel was the polar opposite from Monday’s. It was overcast all day, with rumblings of thunder that finally let loose in impressive fashion as we were treated to a classic full-blown Georgian Bay electrical storm. There was lots of thunder and lightning, which I fully enjoyed, but Ian and Courage the dog weren’t too sure of. It all culminated with a torrential downpour that more than thoroughly soaked the place and cooled things right down. During the storm we had several flickers of our lights, but this time Ontario Hydro won out and the power stayed on.

Today the weather was iffy, with the sun working to poke through overcast skies. The temperature was pleasant and there was a slight breeze, which is a far cry from the torrid weather back in New York. Kiera, Ian, Courage, and I went in to town around noon to do errands and pick up the rest of the Topping Crew; my mom, wife, sister, and nephew, and Mom’s two dogs Sounder and Parker. We timed things perfectly and met up in Sobey’s parking lot, where I pulled in right next to Mom who was waiting with the dogs at the car. She was more than happy to see us.

Mom has been a bit apprehensive about returning to the cottage. However, soon after we arrived at the island she found herself relieved at how quickly she got caught up in the beauty of the area and rediscovering the joy of just being here. This is still a very difficult time for our family, with each of trying to find our way through process of coping with our loss. This trip promises to be especially emotional, because Mom brought half of Pop’s ashes with her and we are planning on scattering them tomorrow if the weather cooperates. We will be taking a shore lunch to enjoy on Mineral Island, and Mom has a special tree in mind that Pop used to sit on where we will spread some of the ashes. We will also scatter some in the channel off our dock and inter some on our property. Although we are all grieving over our loss, we are upbeat about honoring Pop’s wishes and moving closer to some kind of closure. Pop would be proud.

The past week has been a very difficult and extremely busy time for our family. For us this was also a time of great mourning. As you are aware there have been no blog postings for a few days, as we all prepared for and participated in my father’s funeral. Each time I went to do a post, I found it hard muster the inspiration and focus that a good blog demands. However, as my Pop taught me, “Life goes on”. And it does. It must. And so will the blog. I have many topics to write on and many things to share. Details about Pop’s funeral and this past weekend. Things about people, occurrences, and conversations. Things about my father, his dreadful illness, and his views on life. Pictures, pictures, pictures! (Pop loved posting pictures on the blog, and I have been remiss as of late in that respect). And ongoing information and observations about the South Channel, the purpose of this blog in the first place.

With copious amount of love and support from family, friends, clergy, and caring and assistance from other folks like Bill Bishop, the funeral director from Bishop and Johnson Funeral Home, and the bagpipers who played at the funeral, our family made it through this tough chapter of life in grand fashion. My Pop would be proud. In fact, my Pop IS proud. However, I know there are still many difficult times ahead of us, as well as many good ones, and I hope to be prepared for whatever the future may hold.

Here are photos of the flags at our dock at Seven Mile Narrows on the South Channel in Georgian Bay. Our cottage is located on McLaren Island, which is about 8 miles by water from the town of Parry Sound, Ontario.

The flags were lowered to half-mast after my father passed away as a mark of respect to his memory.

In America, the US flag is typically flown throughout the country at half-mast a prescribed number of days based on rank, service, or importance of the person being honored. For example, 30 Days from the death of the President, former President, or person of great importance; 10 Days from the day of death of The Vice President or a sitting or former Supreme Court Chief Justice; from the day of death to the day of Interment of The Governor of a State, territory, or possession of the United States, etc. The president can also direct that the flag be flown at half-staff as a symbol of respect for great Americans, and other officials and foreign dignitaries who are noted for their non-government service and achievement.

We will fly the flags at our cottage at half-mast for 30 days, as my father was someone of the greatest importance to us.

We believe he was also of great importance, to the very same South Channel he loved so.

We salute you Pop!

It was a spectacular sunny day here on the bay. There were clear blue skies, a light breeze, and the temperature was just perfect; hot, but not too hot. We headed into town at noon for one of Kiera’s 18th birthday gifts, an aerial tour of Parry Island and the South Channel via float plane. Kiera took her friend Erika on the ride with her and the huge smiles on their faces as they exited the plane told the whole story. Kiera also snapped a bunch of aerial photos of the area and of our cottage, which we will post on the South Channel Blog when we return to Rochester.

It’s been a difficult day of mental adjustment, trying to come to terms with the death of our father yesterday. We are all heavily impacted by his loss and each of us is finding our own way of coping with the grief of losing someone we cherish so much. There are so many reminders of Pop in this place that has became his home away from home, and we find ourselves pondering and reminiscing about good times we spent here as a family over the years. Pop’s physical presence here at our cottage will be missed immensely, but we know his heart and soul are all around us in this place that he loved so.

We will be leaving for Rochester tomorrow and plan to be in Hornell Sunday to meet with members of the clergy to plan the memorial service and make funeral arrangements. The funeral will be held on next Friday in at Trinity Church in Canaseraga, with more specifics to follow as they become known.

Today is the first day of the South Channel Blog. The Chief Wonk assisted Channel Man Stan with getting his new blog set up.