Adventure – REFLECTIONS OF A SWAMPER

The Plague Doctor

October 6, 2026 by BJM Publishing, posted in Adventure, Art, Miscellaneous

photo taken during recent Cogs and Steampunk festival in Fergus, 2026

Photo above taken at the recent Cogs and Steampunk Festival in Fergus, Sept, 2026

A plague doctor was a specialized municipal physician hired by towns and cities in Europe during 17th-century plague epidemics to treat victims, especially the poor who could not pay. These physicians wore this unsettling outfit to protect themselves from the plague. It was an early version of the present-day personal protective equipment (PPE).

What They Meant and Symbolized

Harbingers of Death: Because they usually arrived only when an outbreak began and rarely cured anyone, seeing a plague doctor meant that severe illness or death was nearby.
Public Record Keepers: Beyond medical care, their role meant documenting the dead, counting infection numbers, witnessing wills, and performing autopsies for demographic and civic data.
A Symbol of Fear: Over time, the terrifying medical uniform transformed into a popular Carnival of Venice character, symbolizing mystery, history, and a memento mori (a reminder of mortality).

The Iconic Costume

The Beaked Mask: The mask featured a long bird-like beak stuffed with strong herbs, spices, and camphor. People believed disease spread through “miasma” (poisonous “bad air”), and the herbs were meant to filter or purify it.
Protective Suit: They wore a head-to-toe heavy waxed leather or canvas robe, boots, and gloves. While designed to block bad air, it accidentally offered minor protection against bodily fluids and flea bites. The hat was worn to make people aware that they were physicians. The cloak and gloves were worn to prevent skin-on-skin contact with patients.
The Wooden Wand: Doctors carried a cane or stick to examine and point at patients without having to touch them.

I would imagine that seeing this frightening figure morph out of a misty morning fog, even if you were near death; you’d jump up and run for cover.

Lobsters in PEI

October 3, 2026October 2, 2026 by BJM Publishing, posted in Adventure, Family and Friends, Miscellaneous, Travel

Prince Edward Island (PEI) has two distinct lobster fishing seasons: a spring season from late April/early May to late June; this is the largest harvest, accounting for about 75% of the catch, and a fall season from mid-August to mid-October. PEI splits its lobster fishing into two distinct regional seasons to protect the lobsters during vulnerable biological cycles like molting and mating.

The lobster fishery brings in tens of millions of pounds of catch annually, accounting for about 15% of Canada’s total lobster production. It provides vital jobs for over 1,200 licensed fishers and supports processing plants, local harbors, and tourism.

Nova Scotia catches the most lobsters of any province in Canada, accounting for roughly 45% to 50% of the country’s total annual catch. Additionally, the town of Shediac, New Brunswick, is widely known and promoted as the “Lobster Capital of the World” due to its rich fishing heritage and famous 90-tonne giant lobster monument.

For a traditional lobster supper there are three main places to partake of succulent, mouth-watering lobster and though it may appear expensive when you think about how everything is included with the meal and the price of appetizers and desserts now, it isn’t that bad. A special occasion for sure.

Supper Location	Estimated Price Range	Key Feature / Unlimited Sides	Atmosphere
New Glasgow	CAD 40–60	a short drive from the city, serving a complete multi-course lobster meal with unlimited sides of mussels, chowder, and pie.	Historic community hall
Fisherman’s Wharf	CAD 40–80	60-foot salad and dessert bar & endless mussels.	Expansive & nautical
Lobster on the Wharf	CAD 30–80	À la carte platters & fresh pound	Scenic harbor deck

You are not limited to lobster suppers, you can go down to the local pier in most towns and get live lobster to take home or cook up, and there are plenty of places to grab a lobster roll. Some of the best places on Prince Edward Island include acclaimed spots like Richard’s Fresh Seafood in Covehead and Victoria-by-the-Sea, Blue Mussel Cafe in North Rustico, the Water Prince Corner Shop in Charlottetown, the Seafood Shack, and Point Prim Chowder House and Oyster Bar. I’m sure I have left some out but that’s what exploring on vacation is all about.

Cogs and Clockwork Festival in Fergus

September 15, 2026September 14, 2026 by BJM Publishing, posted in Adventure, Art, Events and Festivals, Family and Friends

The 4th annual Festival hosted by Fergus, Ontario this past weekend, and my first visit. It will certainly not be the last. The costumes, the people, the incredible creativity and the friendliness of the occasion was off the charts.

Steampunk is a subgenre of science fiction and a lifestyle movement that imagines an alternate world where 19th-century steam power and clockwork machinery kept advancing instead of being replaced by electricity and electronics. Machines run on steam, gears, cogs, brass pipes, and dials rather than digital microchips.

Stories and styles typically take place during the 19th-century Industrial Revolution or an imaginary Victorian/Edwardian era. While it borrows from the 1980s cyberpunk naming convention, the “punk” in steampunk represents a DIY crafting ethic, independence, and a rebellion against modern disposable consumer culture but pretty much anything goes. Goth, Victorian, the Mandalorian, explorers, plague doctors, Poe, fairies, Around the world in 80 days, and numerous other influences from Jules Verne to H.G. Wells.

The main aspect is having fun with whatever you choose to create and making friends and having a good time. People often wear top hats, corsets, leather goggles, and brass accessories. Most people start out with an elaborate hat and accessorize as they attend more events as there are booths full of great ideas. Gathering a mood board and collecting small hardware items like springs, old keys, and gears is a good way to start any steampunk crafting session.

Key Clothing Pieces

Corsets and Waist Cinchers: Worn over blouses or shirts to create a classic Victorian silhouette.

Vests and Waistcoats: Structured layers in velvet, brocade, or tweed for both men and women.

Shirts and Blouses: High-neck ruffled blouses or crisp collared button-downs.

Skirts and Trousers: High-waisted, tiered, or asymmetrical skirts (often shorter in the front and longer in the back) paired with tailored or striped trousers.

Essential Accessories

Goggles and Spectacles: Often worn perched on a top hat or across the forehead.

Hats: Top hats, bowler hats, or feathered mini-pillbox hats and fascinators.

Gear and Timepieces: Pocket watches on chains, brass jewelry, and decorative cogs.

Footwear and Gear Bags: Sturdy leather lace-up boots and utility belts with pouches or satchels

The Steampunk Capital of the world is in Oamaru, New Zealand.

Steampunk HQ was founded in 2011 by a group of creative minds (Don Patterson, Jac Grenfell and Brian de Geest), who were passionate about Steampunk, and showcasing it to the public. They are constantly working with talented individuals to collaborate on projects and expand their collection.

Steampunk HQ promotes sustainability and recycling; it features an interesting collection of retro-futuristic sci-fi art, movies, sculpture and sound.

Oamaru’s Victorian precinct (historical building) is the perfect setting for steampunk, as the architecture is a great backdrop for this alternative version of 19th century England.

Let me know if you have attended a similar festival and what you liked most about it!

A visit to the Whistling Gardens

September 9, 2026September 7, 2026 by BJM Publishing, posted in Adventure, Art, Gardens and/or Museums

Whistling Gardens in Wilsonville, Ontario was established in 2012 by founders Darren and Wanda Heimbecker, who transformed a former 20-acre cornfield into an award-winning botanical landscape. Not very old by garden standards but they have incorporated the right mixture of splendour and delight to keep you looking forward to what is around the next bend. You can see the entirety of the garden in about two hours but you can linger at several places and really take in the gardens in an afternoon or evening. Total cost for our visit was $37.95 (two adults) which might feel steep to some but strolling around here was almost magical and very peaceful. There are 4 km of walking paths that are wheelchair accessible. You can find Pheasants, Peacocks, Swans, Egyptian Geese, Serama (the smallest breed of chicken) in the aviary.

We arrived shortly before noon and caught the one o’clock water fountain show which lasts about 11 minutes and is choreographed to two pieces of music. Owner Darren Heimbecker engineered a massive computerized water theater featuring over 100 water jets set across three 90-foot staircases and a stage floor. The show that they feature at night is much more colourful and lasts almost an hour…so I guess we will have to go back sometime and see the gardens at night.

The lady at the front said the best time to see the Gardens is in June when the peonies are blooming so I may note that on my calendar for next year. We went on Labour Day Sunday and though there wasn’t an abundance of flowers, it was worth the time and money. They have an aviary with some pheasants and a peacock and a very loud rooster, two ponds, a rock garden, a temple garden for weddings and a cactus garden. They also have flush toilets as well as the usual porta potties.

The site houses one of the world’s largest public conifer collections with roughly 2,500 varieties, species, and hybrids—including rare specimens like the critically endangered Baishan fir and Canada’s only foxtail pine. Starting with major donations beginning around 2013, the public peony collection expanded to roughly 1,300 varieties, making it the largest collection of its kind in North America. The gardens display upwards of 4,500 total plant types. The property is expansive, thoughtfully designed, and full of distinct garden areas that each feel like their own little world. You’ll find formal gardens, winding woodland paths, colourful perennial borders, and beautifully maintained themed sections that showcase rare and unusual plants.

The spring brings the Peony season that opens May 15^th until about June 30^th. There are displays that offer 400 varieties of iris in May, along with magnolia, red bud, and other flowering trees. During the summer months from July to mid-August there are summer blooms of Lilies, Echinacea, Red Hot Pokers, Gaillardia and lots more. As the season changes to Autumn, fall perennials and Ornamental Grasses are features. Streams, ponds, cascades, as well as cottage garden strolls, magnificent formal gardens and European influenced architecture all await you. It’s a perfect place for exploring, relaxing, and enjoying a peaceful day outdoors. Whether you love horticulture or simply want a serene escape, Whistling Gardens is a must-visit.

Note: There are many benches for a short rest strategically placed in the Gardens, mostly memorial benches for a family member, and a picnic area where you can bring in a lunch. All in all, a great way to spend the day.

Hopeville Kite Festival

September 1, 2026September 1, 2026 by BJM Publishing, posted in Adventure, Events and Festivals, Family and Friends

Many years ago, I took my nephews to a kite festival and they were just as enchanted as I to see all the various kites flying above them. Today there are much more elaborate kites available, and on show in abundance this past weekend. Kite flying apparently originated in ancient China over 2,000 years ago. (some say South Pacific)

A quaint little Ontario town by the name of Hopeville located just west of Dundalk held the largest kite festival in the province Saturday, Aug 29 through Sunday, Aug 30th., which turned out to be “a magical weekend of flight, music, food and more.”

Although it is a free event, organizers welcome donations to help put on the festival year after year. The festival address is 125849 Southgate Rd. 12 in Dundalk, Ontario and if you missed it this year, you will likely be able to catch it next August as it is an annual event. The Hopeville Kite Festival is proudly funded by the Government of Ontario. The Family Fun Zone is made possible by a grant from Community Foundation Grey Bruce.

Attendees could bring their own kites or purchase one at the venue — the festival welcomes flyers of every skill level. There was a designated fly zone for the public and many people brought their own lawn chairs just to sit and marvel at all the kites soaring above and around them. Where else would you be able to see an ice cream cone flying about. Not to mention an astronaut, a sea horse, a tall ship, octopi, fish, and dragons. You could get dizzy just from having to swivel your head around to catch them all.

Tip: The ultimate trick to flying a kite is maintaining tension on the string. Always stand with your back to the wind, let the kite catch the breeze, and pull gently on the line when it dips or feed it line when it climbs. Never let the line go completely slack.

Some interesting facts regarding kites:

The smallest kite in the world which actually flies is 5mm high.

The largest number of kites flown on a single line is 11,284. This record is held by a Japanese kite maker.

The longest kite in the world is 7,700 metres in length.

The largest kite in the world is the Megabite 55 x 22 metres (630sq metres).

The fastest recorded speed of a kite is over 120 mph. (193 km/h).

The record for the highest single kite flown is 3801 metres (12,471ft).

Some Japanese kites weigh over 2 tons. And some of the longest Chinese Dragon kites are over 600 metres long.

You do not need wind to fly a kite.

Kite flying is one of the fastest growing sports in the world.

More adults in the world fly kites than children.

People were flying kites 1,000 years before paper was invented.

The first powered aircraft were large box kites with motors fitted to them.

Kites have been used for fishing, bird scaring, delivering mail and papers, forecasting the weather and frightening evil spirits away.

Benjamin Franklin used a kite to prove that lightning was electricity.

What began as a community kite festival has grown into an event that attracts professional kite flyers from across North America and visitors from Ontario and beyond. Now in its fourth year, the Hopeville Kite Festival continues to combine the excitement of a major kite display with the welcoming atmosphere of a rural Ontario community.

If you have never had the opportunity to experience a kite flying festival, let your inner child emerge and attend one.

Upcoming 2026 Kite Festivals in Ontario

New Park Unveiling (Newmarket): September 19–20, 2026

Kites in the Field (Lucknow): September 26–27, 2026

Eau To Joy on the Beach (Erieau): October 17–18, 2026

Update to June 11th post on carousels – Lakeside Park

August 14, 2026August 14, 2026 by BJM Publishing, posted in Adventure, Art, Family and Friends, Travel

In my previous post of June 11th (On a Carousel trying to catch up with you) I mentioned that I would be going to see this antique carousel in St. Catharines and how excited I would be to see it; and it did not disappoint! Every hand carved animal and chariot has been lovingly restored to its former glory by a group called Friends of the Carousel who help to keep it maintained with some help from City Council and public donations.

Frati band organ that has two figures that twirl while playing musical scrolls

The Lakeside Carousel was carved between 1898 and 1905 in Brooklyn, New York by Charles I.D. Looff’s factory workers. The carousel was relocated in 1921 from its earlier home at an amusement park in Scarborough to St. Catharines. It was purchased for the amusement park flourishing in Port Dalhousie, which had 58 attractions. In those days, more than a quarter million people annually crossed the lake in steamships to visit Port Dalhousie on weekends. The carousel has 68 animals, including horses, lions, camels, goats and giraffes, plus four chariots. The accompanying music is played by an antique Frati band organ which uses a system of paper music rolls to serenade riders. Each animal was hand carved, and the horses still have real horsehair tails.

green halter and harness on ginger horse — Lion

The Lakeside Park Carousel is one of approximately 350 antique hand-carved carousels still operating in North America – only nine of which are in Canada. The original Looff lion on the Lakeside Park Carousel is one of five existing Looff lions in North America and it is the only one that has its head turned to watch onlookers as it circles by.

The second lion on the Carousel was carved in 2004 by the Friends of the Carousel to replace the original lion that was stolen in the 1970s. One of the stipulations on selling the carousel to the City of St. Catharines was that the fee for riding the carousel would remain at 5 cents. This is the kind of attraction that you should take your kids and grandkids to see, not just for the history but for the genuine craftsmanship that went into its making and the fun of riding around in a circle with no place you have to be.

Unique Public Toilets Around the World

August 9, 2026August 9, 2026 by BJM Publishing, posted in Adventure, Art, Travel

If you have done any extensive travelling you will have been introduced to various types of toilets (washrooms, etc.) around the world. Some not so nice, like those at some gas stations in North America to opulent bathrooms in higher end hotels. Access to these may be free, through a key on a peg or a swipe card, to a metered door lock but everyone needs a place to relieve themselves from time to time and the older you get the more frequently you need to use these facilities. I believe there is even an app now that tells you where a convenient location exists near you at anytime.

You cannot begin to understand my excitement and pleasure at coming across public toilets in New Zealand and Australia. They have taken mural art to the nth degree far from the boring half moon door in the outhouse behind a cottage in northern Ontario.

We have also come across some very inventive banos in Mexico on our travels. Sometimes just the markers that let you know whether they are male or female or unisex are pretty cool.

Institute of Art in San Miguel de Allende bano

Some unique restrooms that we have heard of but not yet experienced are:

1. A toilet in Arosa, Switzerland that is made of glass and sits over an old elevator shaft, letting you look straight down while you do your business through clear glass.

2. A club in Frankfurt, Germany where men step inside a giant, glittering set of red lips to use the urinal.

3. Kawakawa, New Zealand features public toilets designed by artist Friedensreich Hundertwasser using colorful tiles, stained glass, and a living tree growing right through the roof.

4. Tianmen Mountain in China features a clear glass restroom built onto the side of a sheer rock cliff, offering massive canyon views.

5. The Ice Igloo Restroom in Norway is built seasonally near famous hiking trails; these minimalist stalls freeze your surroundings into a stunning winter wonderland.

Blue Star Memorial Hwy rest stop on the way to Nashville,Tennessee

What are some of the best/worst public toilets you’ve experienced?

Erté: A Journey Through Art and Elegance

August 4, 2026August 3, 2026 by BJM Publishing, posted in Adventure, Art, Events and Festivals

Romain de Tirtoff was born on November 23, 1892 in Saint Petersburg, Russia to an aristocratic family. He was a pioneering Russian-born French artist and designer known as the “Father of Art Deco”. His designs included dresses and accessories for women; costumes and opulent sets for opera, ballet, and dramatic productions; and posters and prints. Moved to Paris, France, in 1912 against his family’s wishes to pursue art. Adopted the pseudonym Erté, which is the French pronunciation of his initials R.T. (Romain de Tirtoff).

He joins the ranks of the elite who are known worldwide by their first names, such as Cher, Madonna, Twiggy, Elvis, Bono, Adele, etc. Erté designed over 240 covers and thousands of illustrations with Harper’s Bazaar over 22 years starting in 1915. (A collection of Harper’s Bazaar illustrations was published in Designs by Erté [1976] with text by Stella Blum.) He also crafted extravagant costumes and stage sets for the Folies Bergère in Paris, Ziegfeld Follies in New York, and Hollywood films. This is the stage of his career that entrances me the most. His costumes were exceptionally brilliant and unique. He worked in many fields, including jewelry, sculpture, and interior decor. He worked for nearly eight decades and died in Paris, France in 1990 at 97 years of age of kidney failure.

He wrote his autobiography, Things I Remember in 1975. Erté’s legacy serves as a reminder of the intersection between art and society, illustrating how a singular artistic voice can resonate across generations and shape cultural narratives. The name remains a symbol of elegance and aesthetic excellence, firmly rooted in the annals of art history.

The only thing I have seen that comes close to the theatricality of Erte is in some of the wearable float costumes of Toronto’s Caribana festival. If you have the opportunity, you should try to get to spend the week-end at the Parade, a tad pricey for a hotel room during that time but the amount of colour, tinsel, sparkles, feathers, skin, and dancing is incredible. A cornucopia of visual delight or a photographer’s idea of heaven!

The Hoover Dam: Engineering Marvel of the Great Depression

July 29, 2026July 27, 2026 by BJM Publishing, posted in Adventure, Art, Travel

Imagine we are stepping into the dirty 1930s—a time when the American nation was brought to its knees by the Great Depression, yet somehow we reached for the sky to accomplish the impossible. Imagine standing at the edge of the Black Canyon in 1931 which straddles the borders of Nevada and Arizona. Below you, the wild Colorado River rages—an untamed beast fed by the distant, melting snows of the Rocky Mountains. For decades, it had been a force of devastation, unleashing relentless floods that swallowed nearby farms, wiped out settlements, and threatened the fragile dream of expanding the American West.

The nation needed a solution, and thousands of desperate workers needed a lifeline. Enter the United States Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Reclamation, supported by a coalition of two hundred visionary engineers tasked with designing a structure so immense it defied belief.

Over five grueling years, thousands of men descended upon the desert heat to carve through solid rock, plunging more than 500 feet into the canyon walls. They carved out miles of subterranean tunnels and laid massive 30-foot-wide steel pipes known as penstocks. Together, they poured a mind-boggling 3.125 million cubic yards of concrete—creating a monolithic arch-gravity wall that weighs more than 6.6 million tons and rises to an astonishing 726.4 feet.

Against all odds, the workers finished the dam, its power plant, and its striking Art Deco architectural details in 1936—a full two years ahead of schedule.

Not an AI generated photo but an actual aerial view of Hoover Dam

Initially called the Boulder Dam before being renamed the “Hoover Dam”, this structure didn’t just tame the river—it redefined the Southwest. It birthed Lake Mead, the largest man-made reservoir in the United States, plunging to depths of 532 feet at full capacity and holding enough water to submerge the entire state of Pennsylvania a foot deep. It provided life-giving irrigation to arid desert fields, provided steady jobs when the country needed them most, and fired up massive hydroelectric generators that sent clean, roaring electricity straight to the burgeoning neon lights of Las Vegas and the sprawling neighborhoods of Los Angeles. It was, quite rightfully, crowned by the American Society of Civil Engineers as one of America’s Seven Modern Civil Engineering Wonders.

Today, if you visit, you can walk for free along its 1,244-foot crest, looking down at a structure engineered so masterfully that its concrete physical body is estimated to endure for thousands—if not tens of thousands—of years. However… here is the tragic twist in our historical narrative.

While the concrete titan itself may stand virtually forever, its functional heart is racing against time. Lake Mead is shrinking. When regional leaders signed the 1922 Colorado River Compact, they made a critical error: they promised more water to surrounding states than the river actually possessed. Today, that mathematical miscalculation has caught up with us. Driven by long-term drought, hotter temperatures evaporating the reservoir’s surface, dwindling snowpack in the Rockies, and the relentless demand of millions of people and farms, more water is being pulled out than the river can replenish.

The Hoover Dam stands as a monumental testament to what human ingenuity can conquer when pushed to the brink. But as we look at its receding waterlines today, it presents us with a profound question for the 21st century: We proved we could tame the wild river—but can we learn to live within its limits?

Death is Inevitable so enjoy life while you’ve got it!

July 14, 2026July 13, 2026 by BJM Publishing, posted in Adventure, Music, Travel

1. The Logic of Inevitability

For many, fearing death is seen as an unnecessary tax on the mind because it is completely unavoidable. Since it is a universal certainty that applies to everyone, worrying about it is viewed as a waste of precious energy.

Accepting the Unavoidable: Death is simply a guarantee. Fearing it is described as being as counterproductive as fearing basic, everyday bodily functions.
A Release from Anxiety: Acknowledging that you cannot stop death allows people to drop the burden of trying to avoid it, freeing them from “unjust anxiety.”
Probability and Modern Life: In the modern world, the vast majority of people live to old age. Because it is a distant certainty for most, there is no logistical reason to let it overshadow the present.

2. The Preservation of “The Present”

Obsessing over death actively ruins the only thing we actually possess: life. Those who do not fear death choose to focus entirely on the quality of their Earthly existence.

Living Mindfully: As Bob Marley suggests, if you know what life is worth, you look for it on Earth. The human brain is naturally wired to focus on waking up, making plans, and looking forward to tomorrow.
Lessons from Tragedy: Witnessing the loss of a loved one—even a child—often highlights just how fleeting and fragile life is. Instead of causing fear, this realization inspires people to face life with excitement, wonder, and gratitude.
Avoiding a Half-Life: To fear death is to stop living entirely. It is better to live a short life full of vitality than a long life paralyzed by fear. As one person noted: “If the grim reaper wants me, he knows where I am.”

3. The Nature of Consciousness (The “Switch” Theory)

Many individuals derive peace from the biological and philosophical reality of what death actually is: the total cessation of consciousness.

The Absence of Experience: You cannot actively “experience” being dead. Just as you do not consciously experience the hours spent in a dreamless sleep every night, you won’t be there to miss life or feel nothingness.
The Sweet Release: In death, all suffering, pain, and fighting cease. Even though joy is gone too, you lack the consciousness to miss it. It is a state of total, permanent peace.

4. The Metaphor of “Leaving the Party”

Perhaps the most poignant reason people do not fear death is the natural weariness that comes with a long, full life. Death is not seen as a failure, but as the natural culmination of a book’s chapters.

Knowing When It’s Time to Go: Life is compared to a great party. Eventually, you have had your fill, the crowd thins, and the music changes to tunes you no longer recognize. Staying longer means risking becoming a burden or watching your quality of life deteriorate.
Comfort in the Next Generation: There is peace in seeing the “newer guests” keeping the party going, allowing the older generation to step away gracefully.
The Desire for Rest: For those who live to a ripe old age, the thought of living forever becomes exhausting. Death is reframed not as a terrifying void, but as a beautiful, well-earned, “good, long sleep.”

In this song is he talking about the ability to fly or that dying is the biggest flight your soul will take?

As soon as you are born, you are on the road to death. I’d rather live a short life full of life than a long life of nothing. Some people have no fear of death because they get the point. They enjoy the trip without worrying about the destination.

Category: Adventure