Welcome to the Barefoot Blog, our first mainstay series will be story telling. From classic campfire tales to stories about our property's legacy and our family. We hope you enjoy getting to know us better and are brought back to the nostalgia and pleasure of what a good story has to offer.
The first story we'd like to share is about our Scottish Papa, Ron (Scotty) Lindsay. He spent many sunny days at Barefoot Beach riding his golf cart and chatting enthusiastically with everyone who crossed his path, and walking our family pup Wallace (who may or may not be buried on the property in a secret location). Papa always wore a Scottish cap (Peaky Blinders Style minus the razor blade) and "kicked the bucket" with a full head of wavy hair. His eyes were piercing and his frame was wee but his presence was mighty.
Papa always walked and moved with purpose and his optimism and joy for life was unparalleled. He moved his young family from Glasgow Scotland to Canada by boat when our Dad was nine and they infamously dug the foundation of their family home by hand with a couple of shovels. It was these humble, hardworking roots and a can-do attitude that our family and Barefoot was established on. Papa was the silly, light-hearted Yin to my Gran's serious and intelligent Yang energy and you can find both qualities in the Lindsay's once you get to know us.
He loved telling detailed story's of his adventures (once he robbed a lingerie factory by layering bra upon bra under his clothing!) and he used stories as a way to process life and make sense of the world. The best beachfront accommodation for groups on Barefoot's property is aptly named after him, he was always bringing people together and keeping things light-hearted. He didn't need anything fancy to be happy and he carried the spirit of a good time in all that he did from weeding a garden to sipping on scotch. We know a bit of Papa's Spirit was left on the beach at Barefoot, he's there in every friendly interaction and happy smile we see.
I'll leave you with the passage below, he lived by this every day:
If you think you are beaten, you are, If you think you dare not, you don't, If you'd like to win, but think you can't, It's almost a "cinch" you won't. If you think you'll lose, you've lost, For out in the world you find Success begins with a fellow's will; It's all in the state of mind. Full many a race is lost Ere ever a step is run; And many a coward fails Ere ever his work's begun. Think big and your deeds will grow, Think small and you'll fall behind, Think that you can and you will; It's all in the state of mind. If you think you're outclassed, you are, You've got to think high to rise, You've got to be sure of yourself before You can ever win a prize. Life's battles don't always go To the stronger or faster man, But sooner or later, the man who wins, Is the fellow who thinks he can. -Walter D. Wintle
