Daytripping Summer 2023

More to see and do in SARNIA, BRIGHTS GROVE & CAMLACHIE
Your Local & Lake
Inspired Arsan Shop!
Apparel pa
that Gives Back
Glass s Fusing Workshop
30+ Canadian a
Makers
Join us by y
the Lake!
Voted Sarnia-Lambton’s
Favourite Restaurant 2023!
Visit website for
current hours + info
3811 Lakeshore Road, Camlachie • 519-328-2217 • lakelifestudio.com
Childhood Memories of a
Mouse Named Snowball
By Nadine Wark, Sarnia
In elementary school, when I was
about 9 or 10, my parents presented me
with a pet mouse. It was small, with pink
eyes and pure white, soft fur. These pets
were sold at pet shops back in the day
and I remember watching them spinning
and running on their ‘playground
equipment.’
Well we all thought this mouse was
just the cutest thing. There was no
questioning the gender, so I decided it
was female. She would curl up in a ball
to sleep, so I thought Snowball was the
perfect name. She resided in a small
cage, but most of the time was running
throughout the house. Another ‘home’
was inside an old sofa (chesterfield in
those days). It had a large hole near the
back, and she would disappear for hours.
She must have dug some of the chair
materials inside and made a cozy bed.
Many times the family did a full search
of the house, fearing that she may have
got outside as she did move quickly. I
positioned myself at the chesterfield hole
and spent a lot of time calling that darn
mouse! Another favourite sleeping place
for her was the nape of a human’s neck.
It really was quite therapeutic.
The antics of Snowball were something
I would never forget to this day! She would
answer when called and come running.
She enjoyed milk out of a small bowl and
would sit beside it and put one paw in
the milk and go from paw to mouth. She
ate a little cheese and human food cut
up in small pieces. Fruits and veggies
were favourites. Snowball loved to greet
visitors and had an endearing way of
doing so by scurrying up an arm or leg at
lightning speed. A few times she caused
great alarm and fright! My friend Ellen
had come in the back door and before
she could say, “Hi, is Nadine home?” that
mouse scurried up her leg and somehow
got stuck in her shorts! Well a lot of
screaming, laughter and hoopla went on
and the household was in an uproar!
Another time, Grandma Cook came
through the backdoor and Snowball
scurried up her leg. She was frightened
half to death and wearing a dress did not
help the situation. Somehow Snowball
had the notion to scurry back down
about half-way. Grandma took a swipe at
her and she hit the wall. “Oh dear, I am
sorry; I didn’t know it was the mouse!
I may have killed it!” Well Snowball
bounced off the wall and lived to climb
more legs. Grandma was so relieved!
When bored, she had a way of
opening the latch and getting out of
her cage. When the lid on the toilet was
left up, here was an opportunity to 1)
take a refreshing dip 2) prepare for the
Mouse Olympics or 3) accidentally fall
in. There was a small ledge between
toilet and tub which she must have
jumped off! This had happened before
and our terrier Lucky II, smart dog that
she was, stood next to the toilet and
barked. Mum came running and found
Snowball frantically swimming for her
life! She was scooped out, dried off and
lived to see better days.
One day when returning from school,
my Mum had the grim task of telling me
that Snowball had drowned in the toilet!
Lucky must have been out running with
the other neighborhood dogs or chasing
cars on our street when Snowball met
her fate. We will never know if she tried
the mouse-paddle or just the ‘deadmouse
float.’ All I know was the lid on
the toilet was up again and Lucky did not
come to the rescue.
I cannot remember being asked if I
wanted to see Snowball one last time but
it was for the best. She would live on in
my memories. I did have to take the next
day off school as a ‘day of mourning.’
Over the years our pets have provided
us with much joy, companionship and
unconditional love and Snowball did
all that. Forget what is the right way
to hang the toilet paper…if you have
a small pet running around, it’s the lid
that matters!
2713 Old Lakeshore Road, Brights Grove
519-869-2794 • skeeterbarlows.com
A Year Round Garden Centre, Gi Shop & Bouque!
Extraordinary selecon
of Plants & Unique
Decoraons & Poery
for enhancing your indoor
& outdoor living spaces.
Take Exit 15 off Hwy 402
USA
PRIME RIB
WEEKENDS
OPEN Monday to Saturday
Lake Huron
Sarnia
22
Bright’s
Grove
From
26
London
401
From
Wallaceburg
TUESDAY
WING NIGHT
N
SIPKENS
NURSERIES
CONCRETE
C
E
SUMMER HOURS:
Monday-Friday 8-6
• Authentic Hickory Smoked Ribs
• Genuine Broasted Chicken
• Seafood, Sandwiches, Wraps
Reserve for panoramic views
of Lake Huron from our patio!
• Take Out • Lakeside parks & benches nearby
NIGHTLY
SPECIALS
3261 London Line (Rd. R . 22)
East of SARNIA
519-542-8353
2403 London Road,
Hwy. 22 (at Bridgen Road) SARNIA
519-542-7071
ferreraconcrete.ca
NEWLY EXPANDED 28,000 sq
GIFT & GARDEN STORE and
63,000 sq of GREENHOUSE
Miracle Max’s Minions coming this summer
Proud Member of...
• Steps & Railings
• Planters • Statuary
• Senmental Stones
• Stepping Stones
• Benches • Fountains
• Lawn Furniture
• Bird Baths & More
Also Home of...
519-337-7333
Summer 2023 The southernmost point of Ontario is equal to Rome, Italy and Northern California.
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