the cottage

part four

tough times

Perhaps as a result of her adventures walking to another country during wartime, Inge did not love the outdoors. She never met a flower that she thought wouldn’t look better in a vase on her dining room table. And so also wasn’t a fan of the unplumbed cottage they bought on Pine Lake, Ontario in the late 60s, when you needed a boat to cross, a wood stove to heat a primitive biffy out back… propane for cooking floated across the lake in huge tanks, pulled behind the Sonzogni's boat that was a bit like a tank. This and the amount of work to keep what was virtually a homestead going, with children, made it tough on someone like Inge, especially those days when your husband is off working and getting degrees, as you would like to be doing also.

life-long rewards

Inge persevered. And was rewarded by meeting Barbara and Herbert Sonzogni - and their bevy of beautiful girls, Andrea, Claudia and Carolina. Barbara was a warm acquaintance of Inge from Austria. Inge and Barbara had known each other as girls, then lost touch for years, and here she was, by merciful chance, with her wonderful chef husband in the far more commodious cottage, two doors down, maybe 100 meters away! Inge and Des had so much fun with those two. They were like giggly teenagers late into the nights, playing cards, always the same game – 500, and drinking wine...and laughing and laughing. Herbert was a jolly sort and spread the laughter liberally. Thankfully, that silliness went on for a few years, with many friends and relations rotated through for variety. Barbara became a dear friend and helped Inge navigate the forest and the rustic cottage. This was a deep cache of good old days. And they remained friends long after.

oh so Inge
witticisms and aphorisms of Inge's beloved Jane Austen

My idea of good company… Is the company of clever, well-informed people, who have a great deal of conversation; that is what I call good company.
Jane Austen

Nothing ever fatigues me, but doing what I do not like.
Jane Austen

Arriving late was a way saying that your own time was more valuable than the time of the person who waited for you.
Jane Austen

There is a stubbornness about me that never can bear to be frightened at the will of others. My courage always rises at every attempt to intimidate me.
Jane Austen

I wish, as well as everybody else, to be perfectly happy; but, like everybody else, it must be in my own way.
Jane Austen, Sense and sensibility

I declare after all there is no enjoyment like reading!
Jane Austen

My good opinion, once lost is lost forever.
Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice

I always deserve the best treatment because I never put up with any other.
Jane Austen, Emma

Laugh as much as you choose , but you will not laugh me out of my opinion.
Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice

Ah, there is nothing like staying at home, for real comfort.
Jane Austen

but for my own part, if a book is well written, I always find it too short.
Jane Austen