A Shower of Acorns on the Cottage Roof

The summers in southern Ontario are all too brief. By the time the last chance of frost has passed in mid- to late-May, there are just four short months before the danger of a first frost in early to mid-October. Needless to say, there is a mad scramble to enjoy the fleeting heat and blazing sunshine to the fullest.

Seagull enjoying the spectacular
views at Wasaga Beach

I am very lucky to be able to spend some of my summer weekends on the sandy shores of Wasaga Beach. Five years ago, I realized a dream I didn't even know I had until it came true: the purchase of a modest cottage that became my family's beach-town retreat. It allows us to spend time away from the chaos of the city and in the outdoors enjoying nature.

Cottage through the trees

All around the cottage, the air is filled with the sound of birds and insects. In the distance, on a breezy day, it's easy to hear the waves crash to shore. Overhead, in the towering oaks, the leaves rustle and the squirrels chirp. Depending on the time of year, the sound of falling acorns bouncing off the cottage roof is unmistakeable.  All of these sounds inspired a poem.

A Shower of Acorns on the Cottage Roof

A shower of acorns

—bonk, bonk, bink-bonk—

on the cottage roof

A skitter-scatter of squirrel feet

Cottage country sun 

rises on late summer’s morning dew

Blue jays squawk

Crows caw and coo

A shower of acorns

—bonk, bink-bonk, bink—

on the cottage roof

A pitter-patter of chipmunk feet

Cottage country winds

roar across the bay

Rat-a-tat-tat, red-bellied woodpecker pecks

Chickadee-dee-dee welcomes the day

A shower of acorns

—bonk, bonk, bink-bonk—

on the cottage roof

A bumpety thump bump of rabbit feet

Cottage country waves

reach for the shore

Loons hoot, gulls screech

Dog scritch-scratches at the screen door

A shower of acorns

—bonk, bink-bonk, bink—

on the cottage roof

Dragonflies flutter in the breeze

Cottage country mosquitoes

buzz, buzz, buzzing in my ears

In the quiet of nature so serene

it's a wonder the humans get any sleep

A wild rabbit in Wasaga Beach

Happy Gardening!