July 2, 2009. Western Head, N.S. Celebration.

I was so busy celebrating Canada Day that I forgot to write my wee web log. How soon we forget when we are having fun.

Last evening we said farewell to Susie and Jeff who must leave our fair shores for Delaware, where they live most of the year. Two friends from Texas were visiting them here, so as is our custom, the last night before a departure, we all get together for dinner to say a fond farewell. Last night we had dinner in our home. Sixteen of us sat down together to dine. Actually, we were not really celebrating Canada Day but we did celebrate the fact of all of us being together, from such unlikely distances, and enjoying each others company. Our only local friends in attendance last night were Walt and Mary. All the rest were transplants from other places. Connie and Tojo, who celebrated their wedding here three years ago were here for dinner, along with their baby Claussen, who was eight months old, had just arrived for two weeks, staying in their parent's home. With the Mary and Cliff and Gill and us, along with the Bond's and friends, we had a full house. Oops, I forgot that the Winters, who live here full time, were here too. John is going to a folk festival at Canso, leaving today.

The evening was lovely and the dinner easy. I have ceased serving any appetizers at dinner. We just serve cocktails and wine for a bit, then dinner, which last evening was chowder made by Betty and thawed from the freezer. With three types of bread served with the chowder, followed by a large salad, the dinner was delicious and easy. I intended to serve cookies for dessert, but Mary McDonald made a carrot cake and along with ice cream, brought it along for dinner. She knows my desserts are always pathetic, so even when I tell her not to bring anything, she often will arrive with goodies in tow. The conversation was lively and fun. One interesting sight I observed was Jeff looking at each piece of our art, slowly and carefully, all over the first floor. He finally asked me some questions. He even looked at all the pictures in the bathroom, which meant that someone was thinking he needed some help!! One unusual aspect of dinners her is that about half of the good folks drink real coffee, so we always make real coffee and herbal tea and serve them, after dessert, never with dessert. At home, no one drinks coffee that late.

Traditions come easily. This tradition to get together in some ones home to say goodbye is a good one, because we are really discussing when we will get together again. This is a very happy thought.