May 31, 2010. Western Head, N.S. Ivan the Artist.

The sculpture garden in back of his Nursery is remarkable. Certainly surprising. Ivan, the owner of Cosby's Nursery in Brooklyn, is well known. He is a very pleasant fellow, now in his fiftees, who married a Cosby girl and eventually took over running the family business. In the early years here, Ken was at Ivan's garden store every week. As I really don't enjoy garden stores, I look at other things and carefully looked at the fountains scattered around the place, all done by Ivan. His fountains were very large and somewhat grotesque, almost like old gargoyles from Cathedrals of yore, so I soon learned that there was more than Ivan than you could learn at first. Now I realize he is an artist first who just happens to make his living owning the Nursery. During the winter he teaches a class in sculpture, and himself produces one large piece for his sculpture garden in addition to his water fountains. Every year he gets better, including the sketches for the large pieces.

Yesterday we looked at his work, out back of the Nursery and every year it gets better. He has set each piece on a hill which you can walk around, with lovely plantings and rocks on the hills, with new areas ready for the next piece. The series of dancers silhouetted against the sky is spectacular. His latest piece is sold, commissioned as a commemorative fountain for a daughter who died two years ago. The young woman was a musician and the sculpture is made up of musical instruments and penguins, with a lovely young woman beside the pond. It is stunning, now sitting in his shop but soon to be taken to the Mother's home.

Ivan is a true artist but it takes a while to figure this out. He never talks about his work and you must ask about the sculpture garden out back, but he certainly cares about it. Yesterday when we asked to go and see it again, he lit up, and after a few minutes alone, Ken and I were joined by Ivan, just quietly appreciating his work. It is so impressive to find this talent in this small town in this small province in this country with a small population. He is a marvel.

Ivans Winter Projects

Gettin(g) ready for Landin(g) Day

A Contrail throws a Shadow

May 30, 2010. Western Head, N.S. Landin Day.

The two cases of beer being carried from the boat to the fishing shack were to be the landing day bribe. A fisherman told us, laughing as he explained the purpose of the beer. "No beer on the boat until all the lobster pots are stacked ashore and the boat is tied to the dock. When Landing Day is complete, the cases of beer are opened for all hands to enjoy," said the boss man.

'Landin' Day is a new term to me, but tomorrow, the last day of lobster season here, is Landing Day, the day when all traps must be on dry land. Rules are strict in the lobster man's life. You never pull up another man's pots to check for lobsters. The size of the lobsters allowed to keep are precise and certainly the time of the year. Yesterday is the last chance to make money from lobsters in 2010 and unfortunately the price is low. under four dollars a pound to the fishermen.

Today we drove slowly along the shore and walked on Beach Meadows. These small fishing wharves are picturesque, from an older era, but they still function today. Each fisherman owns a shack on the shore for the use by the owner of the boat tied up to the dock. The harbors have been protected for hundreds of years with huge pile of rocks. The scenes are endless and beautiful. We drove down every wharf road, big or small and we were not disappointed. Still used today, but all from long ago when fishing was key and the only way out was by sea. It was a valuable lovely day.

May 29, 2010. Western Head, N.S. Problem Solved.

The bed in The Carriage House is a work of art, made by David Nickerson, as a replica of an antique bed made in the seventeenth century in Nova Scotia and found in an old book. It is a lovely piece of furniture, with one exception that it was almost impossible to make the bed. The side rung is directly along the mattress. David is a skilled carpenter, not a bed maker. Fortunately the bed is not used much but every time I change the sheets I try to figure out a solution. Now the problem is solved.

Today, delivered to the house was a low rise box spring. The men struggled to get it up the stairs but eventually their pushing and pulling paid off. Only one gouge on the wall. The new box spring sits on top of the old big box spring with the mattress on top, so now I can get at the mattress to change the sheets. After the men put it in place, I remade the bed very quickly. In the old system, it took me thirty minutes to change the sheets, in fact I needed Ken's help to lift up the mattress. Now it is perfect.

Except that climbing up on the bed will be a trick for short people and you certainly do not want to fall out of bed in your sleep. But my problem is solved!!

May 28, 2010. Western Head, N.S. Arrivals.

Tonight Mary and Cliff came for dinner, the first meal of the season together. We are like kids in a candy store when people first arrive. They will be here for the whole summer, through mid October. They always drive from Delaware via Annapolis so are always delighted to finally arrive and as is our custom, the first evening at home here, we dine together so folks don't need to shop.

I think that the reason we are always so excited is the fact that we are all living close together in this very unlikely location. It was so fortunate that Ken and I chose this spot, and three good friends were able to purchase a lot and build their summer home here, all within walking distance. It was not planned. It just happened one family at a time, first Gill, then Wendy and Claussen and finally Mary and Cliff. We are still pleased with ourselves and remind ourselves our good fortune with every new arrival. Tonight it was lovely to meet and greet our good friends in our home by the shore. Gill arrives late in June and Wendy and Claussen in July, along with us. Then we really party!!

May 27, 2010. Western Head, N.S. Eating Lobster.

Tonight we will eat lobster, pulled from the Atlantic Ocean this morning. Vinal is helping a friend pull his lobster traps, as May 31st is the last day of the season for our local fishermen. The rules require all traps out of the water by midnight, so his friend wants to take thirty each day. Six boats were working in our bay today, but no one was pulling their pots, but were busily harvesting the lobsters.

Eating lobster that was just pulled from the sea that morning taste a whole lot better than getting the lobster from the lobster pound. It is like eating corn just pulled from the field. The taste is similar but much better. Ken will boil the water outside on a very hot stove specific for that task and cook the lobster. Then we eat just lobster and brown bread for dinner, in the kitchen, dipping the lobster meat in butter. Ken never eats butter, except with lobster. Tonight we dine like royalty with our lobster of two and a half pounds each. Nothing better.

Connor at night

The Causeway after and before

May 26, 2010. Western Head, N.S. The Fish Pond.

Immediately when I opened the bag two fish swam around the pool chasing each other while the four other fish hid in the foliage at the end. We watched, sitting by the side sipping a glass of wine. Soon one white fish appeared to join in the race, then another. Soon five fish were swimming around the pool and seemed quite happy. The fountain was on and they seemed to enjoy it, but of course we have no clue. We do know that one last fish remains in the foliage at the end of the pond.

The pond man is so interesting to me because he looks like a dolt, until he opens his mouth and you can see the shine from his eyes. He knows everything about gold fish and many other fish and is happy to answer questions. Today we had a conversation about how you solve problems and he told me that the only way to figure something out is the bring a few people together from different fields of expertise and try to challenge each other. He said that he never solves any problems when talking to fish pond people because he already knows what they know. The interesting part for me was that I had just read an article in The Wilson Quarterly that said exactly the same thing. It said that research advances when inter-disciplinary researchers collaborate and work together. This man running a small pond shop figured it out himself.

He told me the fish would make us happy so I will believe him. At the least, I enjoy sipping wine and watching the fish race around our pond.

May 25, 2010. Western Head, N.S. Heritage.

Fred Creighton has spent his retirement years delving into the heritage of The Salvation Army. Sunday morning, meeting him for the first time since I was sixteen and he was 22, brought back to me a whole host of facts and feelings. Meeting him was worth the trip to Toronto. Carol had spotted him at church and suggested that we go and speak to him, but I had not seen him for so long that I refused, so Carol went over alone. Soon she brought him over to say hello, so we chatted for a minute and soon realized that he is someone we would like to talk to again, so right after the service Ken and I sought him out for a longer conversation.

The Creighton family and the Buckley family have a long association. My father Norman Buckley was a good friend of Will Creighton, Fred's father and the two couples were good friends. His grandparents were Salvation Army officers and were on the ship 'The Empress of Ireland" when it struck an iceberg in the St. Lawrence River and sank with a large contingent of officers on their was to England for an International Congress. The staff band was on the ship along with most of the officials of the organization in Canada so it was a huge tragedy. For many years, no officials in Canada was allowed to travel together and it took until late in the twentieth century for another staff band to be formed. It was a big deal to the organization and especially to the Creighton family, which is perhaps why Fred was so interested with Salvation Army history.

After Fred retired from IBM he began to delve into his family history. They arrived from Ireland, arriving in Nova Scotia and settling in New Germany, eventually forming the community of Creighton where Fred installed a pillar in their honor. Toronto became their family home and have been ever since. His brother David still lives there too. The twinkle in Fred's eyes reminded me so much of his father that even though they don't look much alike I could clearly see his father in his eyes.

Every day he toils away at the Heritage Center and just completed the task of scanning and entering all the War Cry issues back to 1928. Now we should be able to track our parents lives via the War Cry. Hats off to Fred Creighton, my family friend from many years ago, but now newly connected via the Internet.

May 24, 2010. Western Head, N.S. Eric and Marg's 50th.

I have been closely connected with both Eric and Marg for many years. Eric from the years at Danforth with the Lepoidevan family and Marg way back to Calgary days, when Marg was living at The Salvation Army Children's home, ran by my parent's friends Major and Mrs. Wagner. We promised them at our 50th anniversary that we would come to their celebration in Toronto, and we did. My sister Carol and brother-in-law Ken came too, and stayed at our same hotel. It was a lovely joyous event, attended by her two siblings and other relatives along with their three children and grandchildren with of course many friends both past and present.

Ken and I spent the whole weekend talking. By planning ahead, we had arranged to see several friends. Rob and Jaci came to dinner Friday night in the restaurant on the top of our hotel. Mal came from Barrie for breakfast at the hotel in the concierge suite on our floor, and Don and Doreen met us for lunch at the hotel bar. Carol and Ken arrived mid afternoon and we chatted with them in our room before attending the evening event together, where we talked non-stop.

Sunday morning we four went to church at The Scarborough Salvation Army corps and again met and talked to old friends. Lunch at Eric and Marg's with all out of town friends and relatives where we were able to get to know Marg's relatives better. Afternoon and evening our friends Joyce and Bill entertained us for dinner in their home and invited Marg and Bill and Don and Doreen, so we were a festive group. These eight folks grew up together, all brought up in The Salvation Army so we have similar stories to tell. Our evening was full of frivolity and gratitude. Once again, we talked all day and all evening.

But the preparation paid off. Our weekend was full and tiring but valuable. Marg and Eric were delighted we came, and so were we. Now we are enjoying our Nova Scotia home once again.

May 22, 2010. Toronto, Ont. Canada. Rob and Jaci.

Rob was a medical student with Ken, all those years ago, at the University of Toronto. They could have not been more different. Rob was short and round while Ken was skinny and taller. Rob lived with his parents and sister in Forest something, a fancy neighborhood in Toronto, whose parents owned an island on Georgian Bay, while Ken was from a very poor family from Parry Sound, whose only contribution he his education was to darn his socks. But they were fast friends.

During the years, they fished together on the island and drank a lot of beer. Rob was not interested with status. During the summers, he drove a water taxi out of Honey Harbour on Georgian Bay and everyone assumed he was one of the locals, earning a bit of money from the wealthy tourists. He laughed and never let on when folks ordered him around. I visited the island and loved it. We three were good friends.

We moved to Texas in 1964 while Rob stayed in Toronto, where he interned at Scarborough Hospital, then took his Residency in Anaesthesia. While at Medical school Rob never dated, so it was the three of us out together. Two years after graduation he married Jaci and they soon had three children. We saw them once in 1968 and had not seen them since. Friday night the four of us ate dinner together and we had a blast. Now why did we do such a bad job of keeping connected over the years?

Rob still works most of the time but they use the Honey Harbor place too. All evening, from seven until eleven we talked, trying to fill in the details of our lives. His sister was at the island and could not get the boat to start, so five times during dinner Rob had to field the calls and give advice, ending every conversation with her by saying "and don't run into any god damn rocks"!! We roared every time, because that was the Rob we knew and loved. Now Jaci and I will do a better job of staying attached.

May 21, 2010. Toronto, Canada. Kelley.

She bailed me out, good and proper, just from the goodness of her heart. I couldn't say thank you nor give her a tip, but she helped me, big time. Thursday afternoon we drove to the airport and stayed at the Hilton Garden Inn as we were flying to Toronto Friday morning. They allow you to leave your car in their parking lot for a week when you stay one night in the hotel. The arrangement suited us as we would be driving very early and the difference between the hotel charge and the parking charge was negligible. It was a pleasant start to our weekend in Toronto, driving in the afternoon, showering, then dining out on their pleasant small restaurant.

On the way back to the room we stopped at the computer to print our boarding pass. Our printer at home is out of ink. Ken had trouble with their computer, so I asked at the desk for help. Kelley came immediately and cheerfully to help. While chatting with us, I told her about the mess on my sweater at dinner. While eating my delicious mussels, I spread the juice all across the front of my white sweater. Now we travel with few clothes so the one white sweater was the only warm garment and now it was stained from top to bottom. We all laughed about the foolishness of wearing white while travelling. Then she offered to launder it for me that evening. First thing in the morning, there it was, shining bright and spotless, waiting for me after breakfast. She was a ministering angel to me. So thank you Kelley. You certainly made me look presentable.

May 20, 2010. Western Head, N.S. Rhubarb.

Stewed rhubarb is a delicacy, at least to me. Rhubarb grows well in Canada, growing anew every year after the long cold winter, then flourishing during the surprising summer. Canadians know a lot of things to cook with rhubarb, but unless you grew up with it, the taste is horrid. My friend Mary will not it it, except in a strawberry/rhubarb pie, while Walt, along with me, loves to eat stewed rhubarb. Ken will not eat it either, probably because his Mother served it once too often.

Tuesday evening Walt and Mary arrived with a large shopping bag of rhubarb, cut from their property in Shelburne County. I was thrilled. Wednesday I cooked rhubarb which required two large pots. I ran out of sugar and resorted to honey. When I was out of honey I drove to Gill's house and raided her pantry for sugar, thus avoiding a drive to the store. Friends living nearby is a great blessing. Now two containers are in the frig ready to eat and four in the freezer ready for guests. Of course, most guests probably won't really like eating stewed rhubarb but I will count on them to be polite and eat quietly, or perhaps I will serve it over ice cream. Everything tastes good with ice cream!!.

May 19, 2010/ Western Head, N.S. Festival.

They hold it here in Liverpool every other year, the Liverpool International Theater Festival. It is a big deal. Today was the tenth time the event has been held, with the first one 1992. Everyone tells us about the Festival, how well run it is and how much support it has from the town folks, but until now we have never been here at the right time. Tonight I attended the opening ceremony and Ken and I attended the first play.

This Festival is a big deal. Nine groups from other countries and seven from Canada participate in the event. These are amateur groups but this is a competition with two adjudicators. Every morning a coffee klatch is held at Lane's for discussion and comments with workshops held morning and afternoon, with plays in the evening, two per session. Saturday and Sunday plays are shown both afternoon and evening. Tonight the theater was full. They whole town is abuzz both with people and excitement.

I must admit that the reason I attended the welcome session was to hear the Liverpool Girls Choir. I have been told of their reputation but have never heard them, so I went to put up with the speeches in order to hear the girls. They were wonderful and well worth the wait. Our Mayor John Liefe made the best speech, personable and short. He ended his short speech by giving a welcome to the visitors in English, French, Micmac and Gaelic, all welcomes heard in Nova Scotia. Appropriate and short is my idea of a good speech!!

Lobstering 2

Lobstering at the Ocean House

May 18, 2010. Western Head, N.S. The New Wall.

Three times since we have lived here the causeway had to be closed. The sea brought rocks and boulders over the road damaging the road. Last August was the worst, when the road bed totally disappeared, for a distance of about six feet, allowing the waters to come right into the lake. Each time the road was repaired a bit differently, in the hope that the water will stay in the ocean and not cross the road. The first time rocks were just piled up along the road. The second time the authorities leveled the rocks and just allowed the high waves come over the road into the lake. That worked, except the road was cut in two when six feet of the road ended up in the lake.

This new approach is ugly but just might do the trick. But maybe not. On the ocean side of the road a wall has been built, six feet high, with large boulders and stone behind it. The wall is made of large cement blocks, all fitted together like Lego blocks. Most local people think that a heavy sea will just tip the whole wall over as the blocks are just sitting on top of the shoulder of the road. The walk across the causeway was very pleasant as you could see the waves on one side and the lake on the other, but now walking is not as nice. The shoulders of the road are much smaller and even though the cars are few and far between, a walker must pay more attention. It will take a big storm to test our new wall. In the meantime, local friends are betting on the ocean to win the battle.

Ma7 17, 2010. Western Head, N.S. The Drive.

It is a wonderful drive, starting at the cottage, following the Medway River to Bridgewater then along the River to the ocean and finally along the shore to Liverpool. The day was sparking. The purpose of the journey was to visit the garden center at Canadian Tire, but the real purpose was the leisurely drive back home. This part of the world is full of scenic views. Every time you make another turn the picture is perfection. The only problem was we left our camera home in Chevy Chase.

Ken realized immediately the loss of the camera. Upon our arrival, the lobster boats in the bay looked charming and he searched his pack for the camera but to no avail. The next step was to order a new camera on line, which then would make life easy by leaving a good camera here instead of carrying one back and forth. He ordered his new camera on the thirteenth, the day we arrived.

Today his camera arrived except two cameras arrived, both identical. It seems that when putting in the information for his credit card, he inadvertently ordered two cameras. Now we are pondering the second camera. Should we have his and hers cameras? Do we need a camera in Texas? Should we send the one camera back? I think it is great sport, to have ordered two cameras. I'm just happy that it was Ken's purchase, not mine!!

May 16, 2010. Western Head, N.S. A Surprise.

Our little cottage is perfect for us. The setting is lovely and the cottage is small but charming. But like all cottages that are shut up for the summer, it requires much effort to bring the whole place back to life so it will function as as comfortable cottage once again. The plumber had already turned on the water and checked for leaks and we knew that Vinal had repaired some boards on the deck, but Sunday was the day Ken and I drove up to look around and gear up our energy to put in the dock and put out all the outside furniture. The weather was sunny and warm.

Imagine our surprise when we arrived to find the dock already installed and the furniture in place. It felt like the good fairies had come in the night and completed the tasks while we slept. It was a marvel. Of course Vinal and Billy did the job, except for the boat lift, and they are working out a system to make the job easier, along with wives Betty and Bunny. Ken was thrilled. Our only task was make the bed and distribute the towels and eat lunch. It was a wonderful surprise.

Today, in place of installing the dock, Ken and Vinal are fishing. I am grateful for good friends.

May 15, 2010. Western Head, N.S. The Weather.

Last evening we had cocktails on the deck. The sun was shining and the sea was calm. It was a perfect day in Liverpool. Even in the summer we often are unable to entertain on the deck due to the high wind and the cool temperature, but last night it was perfect for our dinner party. The thing to know about the weather here is it's changeability. If you don't like the weather right now, just wait a bit because it surely will change.

Today the rain came down until mid-afternoon. That's when I went for a walk. By the time I arrived home the sun was shining so after sitting on the deck Ken and I took a hot tub as dark clouds were appearing in the Western sky. Unusual wind from the East was just stirring up the trees but after sunset the sky was clear once again. It is now 9:30 and although the sun has set, the sky is light and bright. You just never know what will happen to the weather next, so I always wear my sunglasses and have my rain coat handy, just to be on the safe side. As I was taught as a Girl Guide, "Be Prepared".

May 14, 2010. Western Head, Liverpool, N.S. Lobster.

The gaily painted boats can be seen at first light in the morning out on our little bay. They are the lobster boats out of Moose Harbor. The lobster season ends for the lobster men in this area at the end of May, so this is the last hurrah. Farmers are like fishermen in that when the hay is plentiful, the price goes down and when the lobsters are plentiful the price drops. So the poor farmer or fishermen can't win. Right now the lobsters are plentiful so the price is lower than in previous years.

It is difficult dangerous work being a lobster man. The season begins in December and ends the end of May so for much of the season the weather is atrocious. Several times a day they check their pots, pulling up the pot with a winch, re-baiting the trap, then throwing the pot back in the water. At this time of year their pots are close to shore, so with the binoculars you can see clearly what they are doing. It is interesting to watch, but it does not entice me to be a lobster man. But I am glad they like it, because I do enjoy eating lobster.

May 13, 2010. Western Head, N.S. Home Again.

The weather was perfect in Nova Scotia today. It was a welcoming sight, certainly a day to treasure. Immediately upon our arrival at the house, Gill came over for a cup of tea and a chat. She has been here since last Friday so she was up to date on the gossip in Liverpool. Tonight we ate dinner at her home with Mary and Walt so again we were catching up on the winter activities.

But the best part of the day was the hot tub. No moon and a clear sky meant millions of stars. It was a beautiful sight. Almost worth the trip here from Washington.

Everything at the house is fine. No problems at all except for the fish. They seem to have been eaten. But everything also looks good. Every time upon arrival we remember why we like this place so much. It is beautiful here, especially when the sun is shining and the sea is calm. Ken and I feel fortunate to live in this place.

May 12, 2010. Chevy Chase, Md. Travelling.

The drill is the same but never is boring. I clear my desk at work, hand over my telephone log to Suzanne, have a last minute conversation with Regina, hug Debbie goodbye, then drive home. At home I complete the most important tasks first, then work backwards to the least important activities and finally sit and watch a bit of TV, realizing that we about to take a trip. The whole thing is exhilarating.

At home, first I switch my purse, next pack my backpack, including medications and drops and finally adding cell phone and Kindle in my backpack. My travel clothes are already all laid out. Finally I take a load of laundry downstairs, as if I run out of time to do the laundry I can always just leave the dirty clothes in the hamper.

Interesting thought, as we will be attending an anniversary party in Toronto during this visit to Nova Scotia, we will need to have decent clothes. Ken and I can not remember what clothes we own up there. I am taking two silk outfits just in case, while Ken says that if he has no suitable clothes he will make a visit to Frenchy's and buy more clothes. There is a solution for everything. Now after a good night sleep, we will fly to Halifax.

May 11, 2010. Chevy Chase, Md. Peppy.

Peppy is a very funny lady. Things just keep happening to her. Two years ago she sold her house and was not able to take her dog to the new apartment, so she found the dog a good family. One day the lady who took the dog called Peppy to say that the dog had died and wanted to bring over the dog's ashes to Peppy. She felt that as Peppy always loved the dog, the ashes should be left with Peppy. Now Peppy did not want the ashes delivered to her apartment all boxed up in a wooden box with Scruffy on a brass plaque. But now the ashes reside beside Peppy's bed, whether she wanted them or not.

Several years before, one of our friends died. Joyce died after two years of illness. She and her husband lived on the Eastern Shore of Maryland and several friends from work were close to Joyce during this period of illness and got to know her husband. Two day's after Joyce died, the husband called Peppy to ask is she would come to their house and choose some object that had been Joyce's. This seemed to be a pleasant gesture. When Peppy arrived, three day's after Joyce's death, the husband had already put all the clothes and objects and books owned by Joyce in plastic bags and asked Peppy to choose some object. Peppy choose one silk scarf that she had often seen Joyce wear. What seemed a pleasant gesture soon became bizarre. Next was the question of the jewelery, when Peppy suggested that they all be given to the nieces. When Peppy was getting ready to drive away,already a bit spooked with the scene, the husband reached into the car and handed Peppy an urn, holding the ashes of Joyce. The husband was determined to have Peppy leave with the ashes. Ultimately Peppy scattered her ashes in Florida, at the last place Joyce and Peppy and other friends enjoyed together. But I have no idea how on earth Peppy was left with the ashes. This couple seemed happy and loving but certainly the husband wanted everything of Joyce gone from their house.

I must say we laughed, thinking of Peppy as the recipient of these ashes. Now she must spread the dog's ashes some place that he loved to run. Then she will be finished with ashes.

May 10, 2010. Chevy Chase, Md. Kildeer.

The birds are beautiful in their markings and tenacious in defending their eggs, but they certainly are lazy when it comes to building a nest. This weekend these two birds built a nest right in the middle of the gravel driveway in front of the hill house. The nest was on the ground about six inches across and made by pushing the stones up an inch or two around the outside with a few bits of grass covering the bottom. Inside are two or three speckled eggs, about the same size and color of the stones, which means that a person walking or driving could easily crush the whole nest.

Evidently, the birds use the stones to keep the eggs warm so the birds can leave the nest to eat. I just want the birds to build their nest away from the beaten path. Even when I know when the bird is sitting on the nest, I fail to see the nest with my naked eye. It is almost invisible. But I love watching with the binoculars. They are beautiful birds.

May 9, 2010. Dickie Creek Farm, Artemas, Pa. Mother's Day

When I was growing up, in our family, Mother's Day was not a big deal. My Father always felt and acted as if every day was Mother's Day. He thought that Mother's Day was a day designed and made popular by the greeting card and floral companies, so he did not make a big deal about Mother's Day celebrations. Dad spoke often about his own mother, always with kind and loving comments and he treated his wife well, so he wanted to have everyone act as if every day was Mother's Day, just not one day a year. He thought that Mother's Day was just another commercial endeavor.

Those early attitudes kind of stay with you, so in our family Ken and I have never made a big deal with the event. It is probable that my boy's feel the same, although we have never spoken about it. My Father thought very highly about his Mother. She, according to everyone who knew her, was a lovely lady who despite many difficulties and hardships kept her optimistic gentle manner. I do not know anything specific about her behavior, but my Mother also spoke well of her Mother-in-law so I must assume the description was accurate. I do not ever recall any comments from my Mother concerning Mother's Day. Certainly all of us three children paid attention to our Mother, not only on Mother's Day but also all through the year. Each of us in turn, when we were working even only on the weekends, brought a rose to Mother each week, and we all paid attention to her on Mother's Day all her life.

For myself, I think both attitudes are correct. Everyone should respect and support Mothers all through the year, but I also think an extra dose of attention is perfectly acceptable at Mother's Day. I'm looking forward to the calls from David and Andrew!!

May 8, 2010. Artemas, Pa. Cindy and Bob.

They did everything right, from beginning to end. Cindy and Bob are real estate agents from Cumberland, Md. They were referred to us by Gary Ditto, who had asked them to visit his property in Artemas for an opinion of the value of his place for insurance. They did what he wanted and also sat on his deck and told me not to do all the things he was thinking about, such as put in a pond or build another house on the land. They were straight shooters, which was what we needed too.

We needed information and answers to questions. The first property to consider is our old 55 acre farm. Should we sell it now and should we divide the property into two sections in order to reap a higher price? Or should we wait a few more years? They said all the right words. "Everything will sell if the price is right", and "We really need a crystal ball right now". They gave us no answers but will get back to us on the price and the decision to sub-divide, once again, a correct answer. No off the cuff idea of price, they want facts and figures and so do we.

The second property is easier. We own a small house on the property that has been rented for eight years. Our tenant died and we are organizing the place to fix it up. Our farmer friends think we should separate off an acre of land with the house and sell it rather than rent it again, so we needed to know from them whether any small houses are selling in Artemas and if any rentals are available. This little house was easier. The house would sell between 65 and 75 thousand dollars and would rent for $450. per month. So now we must make up our mind. Their opinion is that the house would sell, if we keep the price modestly priced. Again, they said all the correct answers.

Now these folks knew I was in the real estate business in Bethesda but they did not know what I did or where I worked, so they were not trying to impress me or being on their best behavior. They arrived on time, meeting us at The Road Kill Cafe, and we went to see the two properties, where Cindy took notes in a binder. They asked questions but did not talk much. Then we sat around the kitchen table in the farm house and talked about our options. They came prepared, having run off the deeds and asked us to bring a survey which we did. It was a pleasure to meet these two competent agents. Reassuring too. Now we just must make some decisions.

May 7, 2010. Artemas, Pa. The Workshop

The first floor of the Hill House has always been a workshop. In the rear is a very nice laundry room complete with an antique table along with a couch and chair; also a set of shelves. As the house is built on a slope, the workshop level goes directly outside and four windows open out to the fields. It is very nice down there, so one day Ken and I decided to organize the workshop area and confine it to the far end, thus leaving the rest of the room for a TV area and desks. This has been the plan for about six months, but it was not until last weekend that we started work. Actually, Ken has done the work and I have cheered.

Now our lower level is pleasant and useful. The sound system and Cd's were brought up from the farm house so now we listen to music. I am now listening to a Smithsonian collection of American songs, published in 1984. The set of five discs I have not heard since we moved from Franklin Street in 1997. They still sound great. The impetus was the arrival of a desk and credenza from Fred and Phyllis. They would not fit into their condo, so we were happy to take them, but in order to find a spot, the workshop had to be re-organized. Last weekend I could not lift or bend down, so I was left with only directing the show. Now the room looks nice and cosy and only lacks a television set. The computers are all set up and in place, the couches and tables are organized. Now we just sit and look at each other and tell ourselves how clever we were, to make this lovely space into a functioning room.

I figure that when I am old and doddering, we can just drive around to the back lover level and go to watch TV, then get back into the Gator and return to the kitchen. I am assuming I will not be able to climb the stairs. Now I am ready!!

May 6, 2010. Bethesda, Md. Real Estate Office.

This morning a class was being held in the office. The teacher was one of our three Prosperity loan officers. The students were agents who wanted to learn more about FHA loans. The topic is geared to the intermediate agent but the class is open for any agent in the office. It took two conference rooms opened up to accommodate the students and it was crowded in the space.

Last evening we celebrated our March volume by holding a Cinco de Maya party from three to five, at The Rio Grande restaurant. We just took over one whole end of the bar where the agents stopped by for a drink to say hello. It was a lovely party, a time to chat with other agents they already know but seldom see and to meet the new agents.

Yesterday the morning class was held for our beginner agents and was taught by Sarah T., one of our expert agents who along with Suzanne oversee the Fast Fundamentals. At the moment, we have ten agents in that class. Obviously, the content is basic but many of our experienced agents will attend, if the topic is pertinent to them or they feel rusty on the topic being taught.

Today at noon is grilled lunch, out in our garden, which is an eight foot wide area dividing the next building. Dennis begged, borrowed or stole tables and chairs along with umbrellas, so now we call the area "The Gateway Garden". Dennis and Jim light the two barbecues and agents and staff bring meat to grill, then we sit outside and eat lunch together.

One of the keys to a successful large operation is to have many many different opportunities for learning and playing. We at the Gateway office are very good at celebrating and very good at learning new techniques along with multiple opportunities to do both. It is certainly one of the keys to our success.

May 5, 2010. Chevy Chase, Md. Bethesda.

Walking around Bethesda is a delight. The sights and sounds have unbelievable variety. I walked past a store selling Italian goods, right next to a large place selling only hand made objects. On one block of Bethesda Avenue I passed eight restaurants, with tables out-side on the side walk as well is inside. At three o'clock today an older couple were sitting at an outside table drinking wine and eating an appetizer, enjoying the weather and each other. It was a lovely scene.

Forty years ago when we moved to Bethesda, the down town area was boring. In order to dine well you were forced into D.C. One drug store and one movie theater and one restaurant was all that you could find in sleepy little Bethesda. Now the place has a buzz with over two hundred restaurants and lots and lots of speciality stores, all available for your shopping pleasure. I love Bethesda. Now I know the traffic is dense and the streets are always crowded, all day and all night. But the parking is easy if you plan ahead and the Metro is easy so I will put up with the traffic in order to have the variety and excitement.

I still have friends who tell me that they loved the old Bethesda and just hate the hustle and bustle. But not me. I love Bethesda.

May 5, 2010. Chevy Chase, Md. A Day At Work.

It is not really working, being a Manager Emeritus. Last week I was only at work Thursday morning, due to my eye surgery at noon. Yesterday I reviewed thirty contracts and write notes to the agents, also twenty listings, so it seemed like work Monday. But today, all I did was talk to people. I was part of sales meeting which was fun, led by Ned and I met with a fairly new agent who wants to be a top agent but is impatient to get there right now. The agent and I met for almost an hour and decided together that he must increase his activity leading to an increase in building his sphere of influence and reduce his monthly goals to become reasonable and achievable. Building competence and confidence in agents is something I can do well which is why he asked for my help.

Lunch was outside in our garden with ten agents, followed by more contracts and notes. I served tea early, which took about an hour. The details and activities in the office are being done by others in an efficient and competent manner so all I need to do is cheer. I have decided that being an Emeritus is a good thing, but it certainly is not really working. I am not complaining however but rather I am enjoying the status and lack of hassle.

Tomorrow afternoon from three to five we will have a cocktail party at The Rio Grand Restaurant, to celebrate beating our March volume of last year. For that I will consider it work...my kind of work these days.

May 3, 2010. Chevy Chase, Md. Canada Geese.

Once again, they are taking turns sitting on their eggs, in the same nest that they have used for the past five years. These two geese are so diligent. The eggs are never left uncovered. The pond also includes two wood ducks which is the first year the geese have tolerated any ducks. The problem is that the nest is exposed to all creatures both man and beast and so far the goslings do not grow up, but disappear soon after they are born. Poor geese, year after year, their brood meeting with disaster. This year I thought they were going to choose a better nest, but no luck.

One goose stands on the little fishing dock and surveys the whole pond from it's perch. It is a cute picture. At the end of the pond sits an old bench. A tree fell on it and we want to remove this damaged bench, but this is not the time to move it, as the goose would be very upset if we work so close to the nest. The geese strut around farm when the visit the cattle. I was driving the car up to the hill house, with the goose walking slowly in front of the truck as it waddles back to the pond. Clearly, it was not upset with my presence. They are so elegant with these two in our pond.

I am told that in order to allow the goslings to grow up we must shoot the snapping turtle who live in the pond. But I say no. Let the geese find another pond or lake. The turtle was there first and can live one hundred years and it eats the little fish, thus keeping the pond in balance. I say let nature look after itself. I am a hard lady. But I would like to see the little goslings swimming around the pond, then fly south for the winter. I just don't want it enough to kill the snapping turtle. And that is that!!.

May 2, 2010. Dickie Creek Farm, Artemas, Pa. Down Sizing.

It was the last item needing a new home, so Saturday Freddie and Phyllis drove up to the farm bringing their trailer to store in our shed. They have moved, doing an age old practice of down-sizing. The apartment is large, a three bedroom, but not as large as their Potomac home, so they have sold a lot of goods on Craig's list and given away a lot more. After the move, a full week was spent donating objects that made the apartment feel too full. It was a big task, but now it is done and they are happy. The condominium will not allow a trailer although they will tolerate a motorcycle, so they will leave the trailer at our farm, then come to visit us at least twice a year when they trailer the bike to Florida for the winter.

Actually, Phyllis admitted yesterday that she discovered several objects she missed, so will now need to purchase in order to function properly. Now they are working with a contractor, adding shelves and extra storm windows, but in general they love their new home. Ever since we moved into our place in 1997 they realized that an apartment was in their future, and they would have bought a unit in our building, but our place will not allow motorcycles, so that was out. Also Freddie had a big workshop and he was not sure he could live without all his equipment, but finally, the decision was made, and they bought and moved, just like that. It was a huge job but now it is over. Freddie said yesterday that they were both exhausted for three weeks, but two days after all boxes were away and clothes in place, they both could not remember all the fuss. Their new place seemed like home.

Actually they arrived with a pair of cowboy boots for me, a lovely pair of candle sticks and two wonderful large heavy pots, all a welcome addition to the farm but just could not fit in their storage. Down-sizing has it's benefits, at least for me.

May 1, 2010. Dickie Creek Farm, Artemas, Pa. Changes.

It seems that every solution brings a new problem. In other words, when you solve one problem for which you are eternally grateful, additional problems arise out of the solution. It should be pure, just solve the problem, but it doesn't work that way.

Yesterday at Dr. H's office, out of my left eye my vision was 20/30. It will get better and soon my vision will be perfect. This morning , the first sight I saw out of my left eye was the door handle, clear as a bell. I have not been able to see clearly out of that eye since I was six. It is a miracle it seems. In reality, I have a new lens in that eye. In the past, in order to read, I merely pushed my glasses down on my nose and the change in focal distance made the words clear. Now I must use reading glasses. Solve one problem, and I get another. But it is a marvel to behold.

Also at Dr. H's office he said that I am unbalanced with my eyes, so I must either wear my old glasses or go without them and use my new eye. Ken had taken my one lens out of my glasses and I was trying to function with one good eye and one glass lens. Dr. H. said no. Back in the car, Ken suggested that I get rid of my glasses and look through the good eye, so I did. We stopped for reading glasses on route to the farm, at a large grocery store in Hagerstown of all things, and now I can read, using my one new good eye. Again, it is a marvel.

In a perfect and normal world, thirty days after one lens is done, the other is done too, in order to balance the eyes. But of course, our life is hectic, so it will not be until July that I will change lens#2. You must not fly for two weeks after surgery. In the meantime, I will be looking out of both eyes but really seeing from my left, except when I need to see something close up, when I will close my left eye and bring the object very close to my right, when I will be able to see it perfectly. Come July, I will have two good eyes to see, but no ability to see close up, so threading a needle will be difficult. Ken would say that it is years since I last threaded a needle, so I have not lost much.

Now I am not wearing glasses at all, except sun glasses and reading glasses. It is a modern marvel!!.