For a smile as wide as a country sunrise
Hello everyone on this beautiful morning! No matter where you live or what the weather is like, come and join me for a little stroll down to a nice small park that is close to where I live. This park is located right on the shore of the lake which gives us a nice view and a chance to see some different birds that don’t come around my deck. No guarantee however. We will have to take our coffee with us today, and of course there is tea and hot chocolate if you prefer.
Well, here we are at our destination, in the parking lot. Then we just follow the path down to some tables where we can sit and enjoy our coffee looking out over the lake. The sun is shining so nice and warm. There is not much wind today which makes it even nicer. There is a small beach just over there, but the water is still much too cold for swimming. It isn’t bad right by the shore, just to get your feet wet, but the temperature changes rapidly as you start getting out a little deeper.
This is actually a very nice park, the mornings are quiet, usually not many people show up here until the afternoon. So this is just perfect. There are many red pines here, they are a beautiful big tree. If you have never heard the sound of wind through the pines, then you have missed a real treat. It is a beautiful soft melody, unlike other trees. Some geese are flying overhead, they are coming down and landing just beyond that little point of land over there. Perhaps they will swim around to the beach for us to get a better look.
Over there under the trees is a nice group of wild orchids, the pink ladyslipper, also sometimes called a moccasin flower. They are beautiful flowers, unfortunately people like to pick them and when that happens they will never bloom again. We have two other ladyslippers here as well, but both are getting very hard to find now. They are actually protected flowers.
And over there in that patch of long grass, can you see it? That’s a snipe, an interesting bird with a long beak. I used to see a lot of those birds around at one time, not so much anymore. But it’s always enjoyable to see one of them and to get a picture, even though this pic isn’t the best, but it’s the only one I have at the moment.
Not much boat traffic out there yet, but that will soon change and there will be boats going in every direction all day long. As we look across the lake all we see are islands, not the distant shore. This is a large lake and has over 14,000 islands and is definitely one of the most beautiful lakes in all of Canada. Part of this lake is also in the state of Minnesota and partly in our neighboring province of Manitoba. But most of it by far is right here in Ontario.
Hmm, not too much bird activity today. There is a song sparrow singing by the water’s edge. And, a squirrel coming around looking for food. Good thing I brought some peanuts for him. There is a robin singing from that birch tree over there. And there are several warblers in the pines. They are small and so many varieties of them, too far away to get a picture. I can see Mourning and Pine warblers. It is just such a beautiful morning, who wants to leave?
However, time keeps moving so I guess we should wrap up this coffee time for today. I hope you have all enjoyed being here for coffee this morning. Have a great day and God bless!
Steve and Muffin.
© 2019 Steve McLeod.
So LIVE.. Thank you for sharing this view 🥰✨
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Thank you so much for joining us today Simon, I hope you are having a great day!😃😺
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I do. 🤗 Thank you..🥰
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That made for a nice coffee break this morning! A lovely scenery! Thanks for sharing, Steve!
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Thanks for joining in this morning Renee! Nice to have you, hope you have a great day!😃😺
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Thank you, hope you do, too😄
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Looks beautiful
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Thanks for stopping by Saba! Enjoy your day!😃😺
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What a relaxing time! Thanks for taking us along. 😀
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Thanks for reading Michelle! Hope you have a wonderful day!😃😺
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Very nice! Reminds me of home and a lake I spent many hours on fishing, not far from you in Minnesota. Near International Falls. Thanks for walk through my memories.
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International Falls, I used to go there shopping once in a while, until they raised their prices. A lot of Canadians would go there to shop, even with a four hour trip it was still cheaper. Have a great day Red!😃🌞
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Thanks I will try.
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Good.
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Thank You! I am sorry about that.
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I must have missed something again, no need to apologize.😁
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🙂 I think your trip to the Lake was just the right thing for me just then! I am so happy you recommended it! 🙂 It was wonderful! It relly does look like Lake Kabetogama! Beautiful part of the world up there!
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That’s great Red! Tuning in to Steve’s Country is always a good idea. I think. Lake Kattyboogycamel? Why don’t they make names a guy can pronounce?? Probably a nice place anyway. Enjoy your day Red, I’m heading outside for a while.😃🌞🌲
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Have fun dont forget the sun screen!🌞🌞🌞
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I thought screens were for keeping insects out.
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In your case it would be… I don’t know what I was thinking! duh!
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I wonder if it would keep bears out too, hmm.
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Trial and Error my man! 🙄🤔😏🤗
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Oh. I don’t get it.🤔😬
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Well… It may or may not.. I would go with the not choice myself, but hey… Your the adventurous type… Just a thought… Maybe if you didn’t have so many of the jelly donuts on the counter he wouldn’t be so anxious to come visit you?
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I wish I did have donuts on my counter, maple ones, but I can’t eat those things anymore, sigh.
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I didn’t think you’d be donut person at all. Huh Maple ones huh? I like them, more of the Long John with nuts and filling my self but the Maple are good too. Although neither are on my menu anymore either.
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I could easily eat a dozen a day at one time, they were so good. And didn’t gain weight either.
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Ohh, I know! Now i look at them at them it’s Ooooo I’d love to have one, but that would not be it i’m afraid.
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Oh wow what a beautiful park! A totally new scenery today 😊👍 seems really great and beautiful to spend the day
These moccasin flowers are so special and this bird as well 😃
Not much birds but totally new experience, so beautiful share 😸😸😊
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It is a nice little park and not used much this time of year. Once summer really hits towards the end of June then it gets very crowded, especially in the afternoon and evening. I was hoping the birds would cooperate a bit more so I could add some different ones to my list. Maybe another day. I hope your day continues to be great!😃😺
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Yes I can imagine, it’s an amazing place to spend time 🌞
Maybe another day they will cooperate 😸
Hope your day as well will be great 😸🌞
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Thanks Huguette!😃😺
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Ahhh…so beautiful. I just want to sit and quietly listen….
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Thanks so much for stopping by! Glad you enjoyed our little excursion to the lake today and I hope you have a wonderful day! Don’t forget the butterflies along with those weeds.🌞👩🌾🌼🦋
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What a pretty place. And yes—the sound (and smell) of wind in the pines—love it! I bet that water is cold!
We jet ski (old stand up kind) here in the summer on our little man made lake. I so enjoy reading the wind on the water…
This is fun, Steve—hope we get to do it again 🙂
No I won’t forget the butterflies—or the weeds.
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That water is still very cold, in a normal spring it wouldn’t be too bad but it will be a while before people try swimming this year. July and Aug are the best months, the water gets quite warm. I want to check out some other places around town for a coffee time as well. And do a tour of the town, but that won’t likely happen until I get back from my vacation.😃🌞😺
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Well enjoy your vacation. I hope someplace warm. Ha! I won’t ask where…
Is Muffin coming with you? We are also going to take a summer break. I just posted that I’ll be gone—but will be back soon…a new adventure on the horizon. 🕊
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My vacation destination is a secret, for now at least. I have a kitty sitter for Muffin, I hope that works out. At least Muffin really likes her anyway, so that’s good. It’s my landlord actually. I leave on the 17th. Yes, someplace warm!😃🌞😺🌴
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Thank you do much for this ride around the park! Beautiful place!👌❤️
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Thank you so much for stopping in for our coffee chat today, glad you enjoyed it! Have a great day!😃😺
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I enjoyed your post, and all those photos. I am jealous you are living a beautiful country, please make more post like this. It is very relaxing.
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Thank you so very much! I’m glad you enjoyed it today and yes, I am planning more such posts now that summer is here. I plan on going to some different areas around town and giving some tours as well. Another park next time. Have a great day!😃🌞😺
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Your readers will love them, your photos are so neat and beautiful. It is kinda reading a storybook.
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That’s very nice of you to say, thank you!😃
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I mean it. It’s a simple idea but very refreshing. Beautiful photos with narratives.
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That is very encouraging and will help in future posts in this series. Have a great day!😃😺
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You too have a good one. 🙂
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YAY! You finally got it right! You mentioned hot chocolate!!!! 🙂
Ok, so this post (in my opinion) was the BEST post you ever wrote!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I totally felt at home as I read this and wished I could be at that park! It sounded so peaceful and inviting! Thanks so much!
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Um, you better check again, I mentioned hot chocolate before.😀 My best post? That could be good or bad! But I’ll say it is good!!😁By the way, there will be more parks explored and some other places around this little town, plus a tour of the town itself coming up, though that won’t likely be until I get back from my vacation, which is coming up soon!!😄🤸♂️🥳🎈😂Thanks for reading Lydia, enjoy your evening!
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Well, I’m sure you’ve mentioned hot chocolate before, but this is the first time you put it up there with coffee! 😉
The post really was awesome!!!
That’s really cool! 🙂
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Hmm, maybe you should check my last coffee post, Coffee with Steve and Muffin, I mention hot chocolate in that one, with tea and of course, COFFEE is first! Glad you enjoyed it anyway and hopefully the others in the series will be just as enjoyable. Have a great day/evening, depending on when you read!😃🌞😺
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LOL! Ok, I trust you on that one!
Yes…. evening! *sigh* it’s been a long day! Work is really rough and tiring!
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Hey, you got yourself a job! Good for you, what are you doing?
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Babysitting! 😦 🙂
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Hey, that’s a great job!!😁
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Maybe…. well, sometimes anyway!
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All the time, I used to babysit too, it was great! I got to play with kids and get paid for it too!
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That is true… but you have to wake up sooooo early and travel to the people’s house!
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What’s the problem with that?
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I don’t enjoy it.
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You’ll get used to it. Once that money starts flowing in, then you won’t mind so much.🤑😂
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Yep! I hope!
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There you go!🏃♀️😂🙄
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🙄
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😂😂😹😹
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I did enjoy the little tour of the lake in Steve’s country. Thanks. 😊
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Thank you for joining us and glad you enjoyed it, have a great day!😃
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Yes! I’ve been looking forward to this coffee break by the lake since the last coffee break! Haha 😄 And wow, it was worth the wait! I could have used this nature break during my busy work day. Reading your post was so relaxing, and those pictures, wow! Thanks so much for sharing, Steve. Sorry I finished your coffee. 😉
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Thanks for stopping by and joining our coffee time and I’m glad you enjoyed it! There will be more like this as we stop by some more parks and other areas around town. Plus a general tour of the town after I get back from my vacation. Have a great day!😃🌞Oh, we have a bottomless pot of coffee her at Steve’s Country!!☕🙃
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Haha, Steve’s Country sounds wonderful! I look forward to exploring the parks and town through your blog! Enjoy your vacation! 😄
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Thanks so much, vacation coming close on June 17! By the way, do you mind if I ask your name? Or do you prefer not to share it? I couldn’t find it on your blog so was wondering, or I’ll just keep calling you Mr R! Have a great day, always nice to talk to you!😃🌞😺
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How exciting! 10 more days! 😄 Absolutely, Steve. My friends call me Miggs (or Miggsby). I was thinking about rewriting my About page with more details, including names. The idea was to start writing this blog upon getting married (in just a month!), but I started writing a little too soon. Haha, I love writing, and meeting new people (and Muffins 😉). Thank you, have a fantastic day! Likewise, it is always a pleasure, Steve (and Muffin). 😄
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Yes indeed, I am excited about this vacation, it’s my first in a few years and I’m going somewhere I have never been. It will give me a lot of new pictures for my blog.📷 A good idea to start your blog early so you can share all about the lead up to getting married and afterward the joys of married life! Muffin meows her appreciation for thinking of her.😸 Thanks Miggs and enjoy your day as well!😃🌞
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Awesome! I look forward to reading all about it! Thank you, and you’re right! It has been fun writing about the lead up! I hope you two are having an awesome weekend! 😄
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Thanks so much! The weekend has been great, enjoy your Sunday!😃😺
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So nice and peaceful 😊 thank you for that Steve 😊
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Thanks for joining us by the lake Margo, glad you enjoyed it! Have a great evening.😃😺
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