Shakespeare, ON

Shakespeare Conservation Area is a quiet little spot great for picnics, hikes in the forest, fishing, or just reading and watching the geese and great blue heron.

It is located just north of Shakespeare, also known as one of Ontario's antique hot spots between Kitchener-Waterloo & Stratford.

If you haven't heard of Shakespeare, I'm sure it's neighbour to the west, Stratford is more of a household name. Perhaps due to the famous Stratford Shakespeare Festival, or perhaps for being the home of one Justin Bieber.

But getting back to the Conservation Area, on a recent visit I noticed that all of the picnic tables had been repaired, with new boards. That was nice to see. I was disappointed however that the boardwalks were all grown over with weeds and it made for a tricky hike around the perimeter of the lake/reservoir.

That didn't stop my dog Lola and I from enjoying the late summer sunshine and snapping some photos. I hope these photos will inspire you all to get out and enjoy nature now that the fall season is upon us.

Perhaps next time Justin Bieber is home and needs a bit of downtime he can check out the Shakespeare Conservation Area.

It's Census time in Canada. It comes once every five years and all Canadians would have received their questionnaire recently in the mail. I'm not big on filling out forms anymore and prefer to do so online whenever possible. I "key" faster than I write and being left handed it saves me from getting ink smudges on my fingers.

I found the Government site to complete the census form online but "due to technical difficulties" the site was "currently unavailable" and I was informed to complete my paper questionnaire and send back via snail mail.

I do love technology - when it works.

I did find some interesting information however, while viewing the Government site. For quite a few years now I've been working on my family history and I've often used past census's to find my ancestors. The trouble for genealogists is that census information is kept private for 92 years.

Therefore the "newest" census that I can have access to for information purposes is 1911. Another Canadian Census now being performed is the Census of Agriculture. Now that I've recently moved to a smaller community in the heart of Ontario agricultural land I've taken more interest in my neighbouring farms and the agricultural industry.

I found the 2006 census information to be very interesting, especially that the average age of a Canadian farm operator is 52 and that only 2.2% of Canada's total population are farmers.

"The Census of Agriculture provides a statistical portrait of Canada's agriculture industry and its farm operators and families. Read about what's new for this Census of Agriculture and find answers to all your questions.
The last Census of Agriculture, in 2006, told us that Canada's agriculture industry has: "

• 229,000 farms
• 67.6 million hectares of total farm area
• 35.9 million hectares of land in crops (excluding Christmas trees)
• 15.8 million cattle
• 15.0 million hogs
• 125.3 million hens and chickens
• $248.3 billion in farm capital
• $42.2 billion in total gross farm receipts
• 2.2% of Canada's total population (known as the farm population)
• 327,000 farm operators, of which
• 27.7% are female and
• 52.0 years is their average age.

Are we to assume then that farmers are aging and farms are decreasing in numbers? I guess we will have to wait to see what the 2011 Census results tell us.

So if you are Canadian and you haven't completed your Census yet, please do so. I'm heading over to the Government website to see if the technical problems have been resolved.

Shakespeare, Ontario is well known for its antique stores, quilt and home decor shops, pie and bakeshop, and stop off spot for tourists on their way to Stratford to see a play at the Stratford Shakespeare Festival.

Just a mile or so north of the only stoplight in Shakespeare you will find the Shakespeare Conservation Area. This is one of my new favourite spots to take Lola for a walk. You can walk all around the pond which is bordered by farmer's fields. The large trees are home to many varieties of birds.

Shakespeare Conservation Area is a day use only park so it's a great spot to enjoy a picnic or just kickback and watch the geese and ducks. On my visit this evening I spotted two blue herons flying over the pond.

If you are looking for a quiet spot in the country to enjoy a little peace and quiet, put Shakespeare Conservation Area in Perth County on your bucket list.

First Trilliums of the season

Shakespeare Pond

Farm beside Conservation Area

Trail around Shakespeare Pond

Picnic Area

Family Swim

I saw this cute little piggy bank when I visited the Best Little Pork Shoppe down the road in Shakespeare, Ontario. I happened to have my camera with me and thought it was worth taking a picture of because it got me thinking.

I tried to think of ways to end the sentence. I tried to think of ways my buyers would end the sentence. And I'm curious as to how you would all finish the sentence.

I think most of us have an idea of what our dream home would be. I always pictured an old stonehouse out in the country with a large front porch and a pond or a stream running through the back yard.

Now as I am older I'm not sure if I would want to be isolated in the country with no close neighbours. It's nice to take the dog for a walk where there are sidewalks and fire hydrants for her to sniff and lift her leg.

I could say I will buy my dream home when the piggy bank is full but somehow I don't think that is feasible unless I had some rare gold coins to stuff in it. Maybe you are already living in your dream home. What makes a home a dream home anyway?

Is it because it has all the bells and whistles you desire? It's in the perfect location? Or is it because it works for your family's needs? It is cozy, comfortable and makes you happy? For many, home ownership starts out as a dream but with knowledge and guidance, that dream can definitely become reality.

But getting back to this little piggy - "I will buy my dream home when......."

I took this photo this evening through my sister's dining room window. I was invited to share the birthday celebration for her twin sons who were turning 19.

My sister and her husband live on a dairy farm in Shakespeare, Ontario, Every evening they get to view the sun setting from their dining room.

Everytime I get to experience this sunset view I'm in awe. Two weeks ago I moved 7 minutes from her farm. I'm quickly getting to love small town living. As I grabbed my camera my brother inlaw asked me if we didn't have sunsets in Oakville where I've just moved from.

Well of course we did but I didn't have the opportunity to watch the sun go down over beautiful, flat farmland. What my brother inlaw takes for granted, I'm still in awe of.

Have a great week everyone.