MooseRack.ca
Title
Surviving in the Boondocks
Description
Bill and Betty live in downtown Chesley which is part of the Municipality of Arran-Elderslie in rural Ontario. They own and operate the Moose Rack Store which is an eclectic operation with as focus the sale of unusual items, collectibles, books, antiques, etc. The store is connected to " RE " which is owned by their son Robert . Between the two stores there are a total of ten rooms filled with unique articles of every sort. Locals have a general saying that if you can't find it anywhere else go to the Mooserack. Even the interior design of the store is rustic and unique, applying home-grown craftsmanship and genius.
Chesley itself is unique in that it is the home of many artists. The reason for this are the dreamy wooded hills laced with small rivers and lakes of nearby Bentick township as well as the fine old buildings of downtown. Many artists of almost every interest have settled here, most with studios in their own home. Activities like their annual "Art Walk" downtown Chesley attracts interested people and artists from all over Ontario. Additionally our large population of Amish settlers, many of whom sell their maple syrup or hand made quilts from their homes maintain the rare image of true "rural living".
Besides managing the Moose Rack we treasure everything about the outdoors. We take every opportunity to see what we can see. There are so many things to take note off and appreciate. Running water full of living things are everywhere. The birds and their ways are ever dumbfounding in their un-complicated lives. We note the little things that run and leave tracks in the snow. The flights of migrating birds, clearly reluctant to head south always get our attention. The stark outline of trees stripped bare of leaves while they sleep are full of hope. Then come the re-awakenings in the early spring rich with promise. The cheerful return of things gone south defy the cold of winter. The budding plants announce the arrival of spring and summer. The obvious ability of nature to forget the hardship of storms invites us to participate with abandonment in the orgy of life rising from the waters on the shore. And this is what we try to do whenever possible.
