Summertime Treat On A Cool Autumn Day

Way back in the summer, I wandered next door for a visit. Darlene had gone up town but I stayed anyway and chatted with Dave. Soon, a car rattled up the driveway and pulled into the drive shed. Out popped Darlene enjoying an ice cream cone. Mint, I think. Interesting. I didn't know that scooped ice cream was to be had in the village. I tucked that little tidbit of information away for another day and we had a nice visit in the shade of the old maple tree, out behind the milkhouse.

After lunch today, I shooed the kids upstairs to change into long pants and socks. They're still in summer-mode despite the autumn temperatures. Twelve degrees, I reasoned, didn't qualify as shorts-weather, even for me. Once all were appropriately attired and had peed, we left for a walk to the village. Except Riley, who rode her bike. And then complained that we walked slow. Eleven year-olds.

"Would you hurry up! Stop looking at trees."

Unlike a past walk, the boys didn't bother searching for lightsabers. No, this time they were soldiers. Up in the hills, through the trees, always on alert and scouting for...bad guys.

Marching-in-step needs a little work. Hup...

Eventually, we arrived in the village and made our way along the highway to the little shop where - surprise! - we found Kawartha Dairy ice cream on tap. I know! What are the odds?! Cammy had the Cotton Candy variety, Ri went with Chewy Chocolate Caramel, and their dear ole ma inhaled the Muskoka Mocha. Oh, 'scuse me; I'm drooling again. Nolan held out for a jawbreaker from the General Store a little farther up the road. Then, we turned around, summer-time treats in hand and headed back home. Not once, did we have to worry about it melting.