Well this is my first blog, so here we go. I am, whew, 46 years old and now living in a nice quiet retirement in the town of Bracebridge, Ontario Canada. Bracebridge is noted for its many waterfalls, in fact the largest one, is only a 5 minute walk from where I live, high on a hill (there are many hills in Bracebridge, good for a brisk work out). The area, known as the "Muskokas" is the cottage mecca of Ontario, and the population in the Muskokas explodes in the summer. I have been here for 6 years now, and I moved here because my Mom and Step-Dad are retired here; plus it is close to larger cities, such as Toronto (just about a 4 hour drive). My brother and his children live in the nearby city of Barrie to the south of Bracebridge.
Prior to Bracebridge I lived in Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada where I was in the restaurant business for many years. While living in Winnipeg I travelled a great deal to Arizona, USA where my Mom was retired in the winter months. I also visited family and friends in Denmark, and Germany.
I am now more or less "domesticated" and have settled down and set roots here in Bracebridge. Within the last year I have acquired two small dogs; Bjorn a Maltese/Pug and Foxy a Chi-Hua-Hua. They keep me rather busy with taking them for walks, and swims at the beach along the Muskoka River in the summer. I am not able to do as much travelling as I am accustomed to. But I do try to head to Northwestern Ontario, where I grew up and have many relatives still, and countless friends. I correspond regularly with them and friends I have made over the years across Canada, USA,India, and Europe, especially with relatives and friends in Denmark. I am not that computer savy, so I am not too sure how this blog will turn out.
Anyways I welcome any comments and thank you for "stopping by" to check out my blog.lol Georg.Oh ya, I may be retired now but I live by this simple saying: "Don't tell me the sky is the limit, when I know there are foot prints on the Moon".
Holy Makinaw! Is it dangerously slippery today here in Bracebridge. Yesterday we come about 5cm of rain with another 5cm of snow; creating Canada's largest "slushie" no doubt; sorry Winnipeg who can maintain your title of most "Slurpies" sold. So this morning Georg, while walking my trusty dog companions; did a few figure skating moves; like a triple sow-cow, a double lutz, and the most painful the Splitz. Needless to say Highway 11 heading north from Bracebridge is closed due to the icy conditions on the highway; no word when they will re-open the highway. Anyways, hope everyone is having a nice quiet Sunday. Take care, lol, Georg.
ReplyDeleteGood morning y'all! Well I feel like eating East Indian food, and seeing how the nearest East Indian restaurant is in Barrie; I will have to work my culinary magic. So I went out this morning and got a whole chicken, which I have marinated in yogurt, and spices that have made the chicken redish/orange; such is Tandoori chicken. It is going to be spicey alright; really going to smell up the place. Making Basmati rice, with cashews and raisins, with Japati bread, and star fruit pickles. Man I am good. My living in India will sure pay off. Dinner is at 6:00p.m. so stop by; I do take away by the way too. Hee hee!Have a great week.lol, Georg.
ReplyDeleteWoW things have happened to Georg in a Year!!!!! Never under estiWmate the power of the internet and Facebook. I have been busy with my little hobby turned "cottage industry" called "Concierge Designs by Georg" where I do seasonal interior and exterior decorating, floral arrangements, stone sculptures, garden design, and the latest and main interest in custom design made to order jeweller of "bling" for the dinner party. I must have to admit I have done well, and I give back to the community as well. In November 2012 I made over and sold 150 floral arrangements, and all proceeds (I only asked for donations) went to the Bracebridge "Out of the Cold" meal fund to give hot meals for those in need, throughout 5 community churches during 5 days; in total I donated $5,000.00 thanks to my friends and clients for such a worth cause. We may be in the cottage mecca of multi-million dollar estates/cottages;"Muskoka" but many here are seasonal workers and or there are no longer any big industries left here.
ReplyDeleteSo the demand is high, this Christmas our local Salvation Army sent out more than 350 hampers to families in the community. The lack of employment means less donations as people walk by the "Manna Food Bank" donation boxes, and a recent embellzelment in Toronto of Salvation Army funds hurts the community.
To further my "helping out in the community" every 2nd Monday I donate my time to the Muskoka Parry Sound Mental Health Centre, and teach those having to deal with budgets how to shop, prepare and stretch their money-and have nutritious meals. Thanks to my Grandma Erna Sorensen, who was a professional Chef and Dietian I have the knowledge having grown up with her for over 10 years; plus my experience in the Restaurant business. As many can also testify, I love to cook, and host the best multi-ethnic dinner parties. I am also a volunteer at the "Muskoka Multi-cultural Association" where I help teach English and help our newest immigrants to adjust to Canadian life. I always believe in giving back, and when I have the time I do so.
ReplyDeleteWhat goes around DOES come around in the most of marvelous of ways for me! Through the grace of Facebook, I looked for some of my friend from India, and glow and behold I saw my best friend Jitendra Monty Singh, not sure he was my friend that was by my side throughout my time in India or not, the next day, I got a call from Monty from New Delhi-it was him!!!! Our first time talking on the phone in 27 years, and just when things could not get even better; I got the numbers for my other friends in India, the UK, and Canada that were part of this wonderful Program. I spoke to my friend Simrat,Devika(who I can not believe, is not married to Simrat and they live in the U.K.), and of course our "Hannuman" Yazad Bacha who I did see when he visited me at my place on campus at the University of Toronto, Ont. Canada, and we were in touch for a few years. To tell you the excitement and deluge of feelings,questions,remorse (having been out of the loop for so long, having lived abroad, and such) and hard to track down made me feel bad too.
ReplyDeleteNow we are all getting re-united and reconnected, either through www.canadaworldyouth@googlegroups.com,or the ITC/CWY Facebook page, emails and phone numbers. So now, my motivation is to have a 30th Anniversary Re-Union in India for most of those that participated in the Alberta/Quebec-Orissa India Program. No easy task, Monty has done exceptional work in organizing the googlegroup and they have been having mini-reunions in India, and in Canada over the years. Our friend Harmeet wants to have a mini-reunion in Southern Ontario in July/August, which I am all for, I have a lot of accounting for, and catching up on. But come October 1st, I am flying to London, on my way stop by and see my friend Simrat & Devika, have a visit, then continue on my way for a scheduled stop in Dubai and see my friend Ameen, and finally New Delhi, India to see Monty and his family and friends. Plan is to go to Narangarh, Orissa India and see the village we stayed in and built a Library, which is still in use after 25 years. Then go to Mumbai(Bombay) and see my friend Yazad, and Lopita and others and take a rest on the coast near Goa(use to be a Portuguese colony in India, or Pondecherry(use to be a French colony in India) and both have their charms. So we will see, looking for a retirement property with some of my friends in India. Shhhhhhhh!!!!
ReplyDeleteGreat a " sever winter storm weather warning for Muskoka (Bracebridge), can you believe on April 10th; heavy snow and or rain, with flash flooding. Glad I live on top of the hill, even higher than the Bracebridge Falls. "Snow squalls, brown outs,severe, and flannel" were not words used in the immigration brochure to Bracebridge. So the power can go out in anytime, better be quick..........or else!!!
ReplyDeleteTo add to the excitement, I have spoken to my friend John Castellan who I know from Thunder Bay over the years, and who is now a high end Realtor in Ottawa; but we have not seen each other since Thunder Bay or when he saw me in Winnipeg, or visited my family's cottage at Polly Lake (north of Nipigon) until EASTER FRIDAY!!! Just when we were about to serve dinner of roast ham,mashed potatoes,sauerkraut,"perogies-Ukrainian/Russian?Croatian crescent moon pockets filled with potatoe-and or all of these, cheddar cheese, onions,bacon,sauerkraut; and then all boiled, and slathered in friend butter,bacon,and onions; and for some of us, take take the perogies and pan fry until crispy. All served with generous dullops of sour cream. So John being half Croatian and I dug in our boots, and had a nice referral as called a "bow/beau honk/hunk"Slavic feast. So much so John had perogies for breakfast. It was great seeing him after all these years, and we have not changed at all. It is my hope to see him more, now that he realizes Ottawa is not that far away.:)
The future, get ready for gardening season and make plans for the summer. My friend Ken Vissers who I went to U of T with, and was my house mate for the 1st year, who lives now most of the time in Honduras; is now having his eldest son Josh attend Lakehead University in Thunder Bay. So he wants me to join him and his son and do a road trip up and around Lake Superior, more than 2,000klm one way and show him the sites; and introduce him to Thunder Bay: NO problem, call in some favours and get him a job while he stays in residence. On the way back Ken and I will go to Nipigon and Polly Lake for a visit (Ken has been there 3 times)which should bring back memories, and we will drive back. Love road trips, the Lake Superior Route no problem, the stretch between Kenora, Ontario (Lake Region) and Winnipeg no problem, after Winnipeg...................................no comment. So things in the works, things in planning and as I always say make small goal for yourself, obtainable goals----no great expectations or you may be doomed for failure,disappoint and depression. Make an easy or decide on a path for making a goal each day, then build on them, and before you know it, you are on a blazing path way, and well on your way; and the best thing you have the security from past accomplishments, and the best gift, you have motivated others close to you to do the same, bask in each other's glow of endeavourness, enlightenment, and achievement. Simple words, simple ambitions results in absolute happiness."Live and be Ohm" my friends. lol, your friend and new found friend, Georg. :)
ReplyDeletefine space ... thank you .. great setting ... will return ... :)
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