by Maria Kirkwood
SUDBURY, Ont. — The lazy, hazy days of summer are upon us. Mind you, there is no time for being lazy, and we really haven’t had many hazy days either. So, I’m not sure who this applies to, or where. But I hear it often enough. Regardless, the summer is in high gear and moving along quickly, as usual!
In the summer we have many choices to enjoy a cool refreshing swim in the numerous lakes within our city limits. The greater City of Sudbury is considered a city of lakes with a total of 330 lakes in our region. It is an amazing sight from the air. Many times, I have flown to and from Sudbury on business and pleasure. It really is a beautiful sight seeing the many bodies of water from the clouds. It reminds me of Finland.
We have our mokki on a unique lake. We are the only mokki on the lake and are only 1 kilometer from home. I always tell people, “You wouldn’t believe our gas budget for the summer!” The 2-acre property was deeded in 1958 by my uncle. He left the property to us in 1965. The property is, of course, within the city limits, therefore we pay city taxes. We might save on the gas, but we certainly do not save on the taxes. The lake is a small spring fed lake, nothing flows into it, two creeks flow out. The water is crystal clear. The scenery there is beautiful; it looks very much like in Finland. Our Finnish friends agree. I call it “heaven on earth.” This is exactly the reason why many Finnish immigrants came here — because it reminded them of home.
Growing up in a community with many lakes and rivers close at hand makes it difficult to understand there are many places in the world that do not have that. When I was a kid my dad took us fishing in his homemade flat bottom boat; we had a choice of six places to go — within a short drive and they all had good fishing. It could not have been better!
Last winter we had the pleasure of meeting Liisa Kovala at one of our Finnish Historical Society Meetings in Sudbury. (Liisa is the sister of Tom, our treasurer). Liisa gave a presentation to the group about her new book “Like Water for Weary Souls.” I have read this book; it’s a great story.
“The resiliency of the characters is embodied in the Finnish word sisu, an idea that conjures the tenacity and strength of not just existing — but thriving — in a new world. Beautifully written and aptly evocative of a specific time and place in Northern Ontario history. It is a story that will stay with the reader long after the last page is turned.”
“This wonderful elixir of story is steeped in the bitter herbs of reality and the sweetness of possibility.”
Liisa Kovala is a Finnish Canadian author and book coach. She is the author of “Sisu’s Winter War” and “Surviving Stutthof: My Father’s Memories Behind the Death Gate” which was shortlisted for a Northern Lit Award and published in Finland by Docendo. Liisa lives with her family in Greater Sudbury, Ontario. She is inspired by her Finnish heritage and the northern landscape she calls home. It was a pleasure meeting Liisa in person.
This past spring, the city council gave its preliminary stamp of approval for a new recreational amenity at the Anderson Farm Museum property. The project is slated to include a public sauna, a multi-purpose trail, play areas and reflective pond which will double as a skating rink in the winter. Throughout the park there will be a series of gathering pods, a dedicated area for food trucks, outdoor dining space plus the new 390 square foot building which will house the sauna. This proposal will be up for discussion in late October by city council and we will see if it comes to actual implementation. Time will tell.
Here are some chuckles; you can never have too many of those.
Studies show that women who carry a little extra weight live longer than the men who mention it!
Carrots can be good for your eyes; but ... wine can double your vision!
There is bull s*** everywhere, but not one pasture in sight!
Enjoy the rest of your summer. Be safe, stay healthy.