Skully the Red:

A Pandemic Adventure

A photobook by André Michel

Chapter 1

Introducing Skully the Red, a pandemic companion

Hello, my name is Skully the Red. My creator was Dan Ackryod but I found a new master in 2020 - André Michel. He drained my initial essence in March 2020 when everyone was forced to stay home. But then he gave me a new life by infusing me with a precious new red essence! I wanted to show my new look and tell you the story of what we did during the pandemic. Although we did not go very far (the garden and the cottage) it was exciting!

My master André Michel says that there is a light inside me just like there is a light inside us all.

And sometimes that light can be scary…

…or beautiful…

…or as powerful as an ancient Greek warrior!

My Master says that the light inside of you can also be beamed to the outside world.

Chapter 2

Pandemic Adventures: At the Cottage

One day that pandemic summer, I felt water running down my side. My Master told me that it was called sweat and it happened during the summer when it gets hot.

So my Master took me with him to a much cooler place up north called the cottage.

It was on a lake with a round island in the middle.

He introduced me to his sweetheart who he called his ‘Babe’.

We went for a dip in the lake…ahhhh that cooled me down.

My Master found me a pile of sand in which I could relax. That was exciting because he told me that crystal, the material from which I am made, comes from sand. It was like I was going home!

We explored the area around the cottage called Sainte-Thérèse-de-la-Gatineau…

…crossed a bridge over a river and…

…discovered a waterfall!

I hung out in the big trees…

…and played with the pine cones.

Master even let me get on his paddleboard (although he said it was too dangerous to actually go on the water because I would sink to the bottom of the lake).

We had a visit from my distant cousin - Kean the Red…

…...and his sister, Sibéal the Red. They were really nice to me and we talked for hours on the dock as the sunset over the lake.

Awe…the sunset over the lake.

My Master and his family loved the cottage so much that he wouldn’t let anyone else in. So I stood guard for him at the gate.

Chapter 3

Pandemic Adventures: Returning Home

After the cottage, my Master brought me home to live in the sunroom with his piano.

We also went outside in the garden and hung out on top of the spa.

My Master showed me how to BBQ…

...and how to enjoy the summer weather under the parasol!

My Master allowed me to ride on his red motorcycle. I felt like we belonged together as brothers!

My Master introduced me to the Buddha of the backyard. He didn’t say much but he sure was quiet and peaceful.

I also got to play in the garden with the flowers.

Chapter 4

Pandemic Adventures: A Surprise Visit!

One day after 4 seasons of the pandemic, my cousin Onyxie came for a surprise visit…

…on Christmas Day! And my Master allowed us to take part in decorating the house.

We played out in the snow on Boxing Day.

And we hung out on the spa in the backyard.

And we played Mirror, Mirror on the Spa, who is the scariest skull of all?

Chapter 5

Pandemic Adventures: Playing in the Great White North

My Master let me play with a snowman in Gatineau Park.

The snow was very deep!

My Master found me a great lookout to watch for other snowpeople.

I didn’t see any others but I wasn’t that disappointed.

Chapter 6

Pandemic Adventure: Exploring the Wakefield Trainwreck

The Wakefield Train used carry people to Ottawa and back - up until 2011. The last passenger car now sits in a quarry outside the town.

My Master took me back to see the wreck in winter on his snowshoes.

It was a bit sad but my Master let me get warm on some frozen chains.

I was one happy Skully!

Goodbye for now.

My Master hopes that there will be no more need for any more pandemic adventures of Skully the Red. But you never know so maybe I will see you soon!

Galapagos 2023

Landscapes in Pink / Paysages en rose