the cottage

a Life in pictures

Des and Inge owned the cottage on Pine lake, in the Muskokas of Ontario from 1968ish to 1986. The rustic, wild, pristine nature of the cottage was a special thing, but it made a hard life for Inge. Family friends were close though so it turned into an enjoyable experience for her with so many fond memories of playing cards, drinking wine, talking the world and politics and laughing into the small hours.

the cottage at pine lake

Soooo rustic, as in biffy out back. but also so picturesque. A hunting cabin in its previous life. Des made it home with furniture from the dump... was better than it sounds.

view from the living room

a little dock, a little boat on a little beach with a long canoe.

life on the water

many afternoons spent on, in and next to the lake

with Des

with new hair cut

the government landing

This rickety dock was the landing for cottages across the lake that had no access by road. Park your car here and load the groceries and laundry into the boat and take it across the the lake and haul it up to the cottage. Easy peasy. Inge here with two visitors from France.

Barbara's cottage

You'd never recognize it today, but in the 70s, this was Barbara and Herbert's place, miraculously only about 100 meters from Des and Inge, completely by chance.

Barbara and daughter

Two families

On the front porch at Barbara's place with their three girls and Inge's two.

always a laugh

Inge laughing with Barbara's visitors in the 70s.

Herbert and Barbara

Barbara and Herbert attend Des convocation at University of Toronto.

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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