Otiosus
An Edwardian-Era Muskoka Cottage
by Edna Irene (Grainger) Page

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Edna (Grainger) Page provides an engaging account of one of the earliest cottages in the Muskoka District north of Toronto. Edna arrived at the newly constructed cottage in 1901, when she was only three years old. The family travelled by train, steamer, and eventually by canoe up the Morrison River to Morrison Lake. She describes over half a century of summers full of fun, adventure, and hijinks among the Methodist families that shared the cottage. The cottage was given the Latin name, Otiosus, because it represented a place where people could gain a well-earned break from the stresses of city life. It also provided a sanctuary where people supported each other through turbulent times in the outside world. Edna’s endearing narrative is further brought to life by photographs taken by her cousin, Gertrude Crown. The text and photos provide a personal account of cottage life as it evolved over the first half of the twentieth century. Readers will delight in the high-spirited adventures of three generations of children as they mature to adulthood. Edna also chronicles the massive changes that occurred over her lifetime of summers on Morrison Lake. Readers are left to ponder the merits of the changes that she witnessed – and the even more substantive ones to follow.

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Edna (Grainger) Page infused her writing with a passion for her many summers spent at Morrison Lake. In her words, "As long as I can remember, I have loved this place." Her cousin, Gertrude Crown, was a frequent visitor to Otiosus. She was also an accomplished photographer whose photographs complement Edna's narrative remarkably well. Rick Routledge, Gertrude's great nephew, is pleased to have the opportunity to work with Friesen Press to weave the photographs into Edna's prose.

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Contributors

Author

Edna Irene (Grainger) Page

Illustrator

Gertrude Crown

Editor

Rick Routledge

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