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September 28, 2010

When Fenelon Falls

I wrote about my adventures this summer in the land of (almost) no bookshops, and had determined that this area of the Kawartha Lakes region was about as unliterary as they come. And then, this Sunday at the Word on the Street Festival, I discover hot off the Coach House Presses is When Fenelon Falls by Dorothy Ellen Palmer– somehow this unliterary land has generated a book of its own. Having spent about fifteen childhood summers in the vicinity, in addition to a week in August, this book is now a must-read, and though Palmer’s story takes place long before I came along, I am sure some bits will still be quite familiar.

7 thoughts on “When Fenelon Falls”

  1. Sandra says:

    Our family cottage is in that area and based on your recommendation, I checked out the bookstore in Fenelon Falls. Thanks for that!

    Of course this was the summer of the Kobo which made it MUCH easier to stay stocked up on books…

  2. Carrie Warrack (Ashdown) says:

    My sister Melissa told me about your blog and I’ve been keeping up for a while now. When I saw your last entry, I knew I had to comment! During many summers spent at Balsalm Lake Villa…”In the Middle of Nowhere” was born, as were many fond friendships. When I think back about our summers together, I always smile! I hope Harriet enjoys her summers as much as we did!

    1. Kerry says:

      So is now the best time for me to apologize for confessing a fictional eating disorder to you when I was thirteen? I have been mortified ever, ever since, but you were older than me and I wanted you to think I was cool in an after school special sense. Because truly there is nothing more cool than eating disorders. Oh my. Let’s move on now, please.

      But yes, In the Middle of Nowhere– how that song has endured, though I only remember the “Someone has eaten my shoe, boo boo be doo” verse. What wonderful summers we were lucky enough to have. Harriet will know something similar, I hope (seeing as she knows Balsam Lake already!), and I hope that your kids will too.

      So wonderful to hear from you. xo

  3. Carrie Warrack (Ashdown) says:

    Well…I thought you were already pretty cool yourself Miss Kerry 🙂 I just loved spending my summers (well two weeks) with your family. And was always looking as soon as I got there to see you. I bet Melissa still has the lyrics to In The Middle of Nowhere! I’ll ask her. Happy parenting to you my dear, it is the best job in the world! Blessings to you and yours. xo

  4. Melissa Fetherstonhaugh (Ashdown) says:

    I’m afraid that due to intense parenting over the past (gasp) almost 12 years, my mind has turned to mush. Nevertheless, In the Middle of Nowhere has infiltrated my coffee drinking this morning and I find myself humming and searching the depths of my memory for more lyrics. I’ll keep ya posted…

  5. Kerry says:

    I will ask my sister– she has no children and an intact mind, but she’s on a business trip to Europe at the moment (naturally). So nice to hear from both of you– a highlight of my young life was you two taking us to a movie (which starred Tony Danza, if I remember correctly). I must have been about ten. Seriously, you both must have been the world’s best teenagers. Christy and I were so in love with you…

  6. Carrie Warrack (Ashdown) says:

    I think somehwhere, there is a tape recording of our famous song…because the “boo boo be do” just came out at the end by you Kerry and then we were all laughing like crazy and I recall listening to it together too.

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