July 31, 2011. Tatamagouche, N.S. The Train Station.

Tonight we will eat in the Dining Car, just as we did years ago when going by train across Canada.  We are sleeping in the station master's quarters, which is on the second floor of the train station at Tatamagouche.    The accommodation is lovely but quirky.  The furniture is all circa 1920 as are the bedrooms and bathrooms which means all beds are double beds and the three bathrooms are tiny.  And we have a TV room with a vintage 1980 set with one comfortable chair in the room.  But as we have four beds and four people, we think we will fit just fine.

All the train cars are full, so the The Train Station Inn must be doing well.  Once again, it is fascinating what people end up doing with their lives.  When a young man of 18,  Jimmy bought the train station when it had been neglected for several years.  Passenger service ceased in 1960.  Bit by bit he restored the station then bit by bit purchased train cars and installed them on the tracks.  He now has eight cars, complete with all the creature comforts, plus the three bedrooms of the station master's home, where we are living.  Fortunately, his wife, parents and children all love the place.   His sister always stated that she would wait for the sale when the station would go up for auction but now she wants to purchase shares in the company.  "No dice", says Jimmy.

This town is small but vibrant, right on The Northumberland Strait.   Folks were swimming at all the beaches so it must be warm enough for the locals.  But not for me.   Again, the weather is perfect and we are enjoying this charming out of the way town in Nova Scotia.

July 30, 2011. Parrsboro, N.S. The Maple Inn.

At my elbow is a silver coaster  with a full dish of candy close at hand.  I am sitting in a sun room made into a library with books and magazines on the shelves and tables.  Our room here is lovely, beautifully appointed with linens and antiques.  We chose this place from Doers and Dreamers and it is a winner.

People do the most amazing things.  This young couple were travelling in Nova Scotia and fell in love with Parrsboro, the town with the fifty foot tide on the north shore of the Minas Basin.  They purchased a large house and moved here from Austria.  This was not an easy task with all the immigration rules and policies, but eventually, they did it.  First they renovated the big old house and turned it into The Maple Inn.  Next they purchased the house beside them and connected the two houses.  The wife is in charge here at the Inn.  I suspect that the husband works in town.  Tonight the Inn is full so they must be doing something well.

It is a lovely spot and we are very fortunate to be here.  But the most amazing thing is to find this couple living in this beautiful home on the shore of Nova Scotia.

July 29, 2011. Western Head, N.S. Planning a Trip.

Nothing is more fun than planning a trip.  A part of Nova Scotia is unknown to us, the part called the Northumberland Shore.  We intend to drive  right along the coast from Windsor to New Glasgow, stopping at anything that looks interesting.  Our drive will take us off the main highways.  The first night we will stay at an Inn in Parrsboro on the Minas Basin, the section with the high tide.  We will stop at Advocate Harbour and Joggins along the way.  The second night we stay at the Train Station in Tatamagouche, on the Northumberland Strait.  Finally we will return on a very old highway, cited in the Lost Highway book.

Now we made the reservation using the Doers and Dreamers book so we have no idea of the quality of the places we have chosen.  But that is part of the fun of the trip.   Who knows how good it will be?  Not matter what, we will have a good time.  Dave and Irene are  good sports and are willing to go along with almost anything.  And they never complain.

I have been looking at that section of Nova Scotia for the past several years.  Finally, we four will go and see it for ourselves.  I am very excited.

July 28, 2011. Western Head, N.S. Canadian Football.

I am becoming a Canadian Football fan.  Tonight a game will be played between Edmonton and Vancouver and I expect to watch.  This is the fourth week of the season so we have seen parts of several games.  By now I know the rules and I know the differences between the American and Canadian games.  What I like about the Canadian game is the larger size of the field and the extended size of  the end zone.  And I like the ability of the players to keep the ball in play after a failed field goal.  It is exciting.

What I don't understand is how the Canadians decided to use different rules for their football league.  After all,  basketball is the same in Canada and the US, as is baseball and softball.  Soccer too.  Why is it different for football?  I have asked many people but no one seems to know the answer.

With only three downs, the quarterback is often forced to throw the ball  which I like, but the games would be better with four downs, although it is an exciting game to watch with all the long passes.  Sometimes they even catch the ball!!

July 27, 2011. Western Head, N.S. A Luncheon Party.

This summer we are entertaining in a different way.  Today was another in the series of unusual events.  We held a luncheon party to welcome Dave and Irene to Nova Scotia.  Everyone seemed to enjoy it.  Of course, Irene is a huge help at a party.  She helps with setting up  and she assists with the serving and she doesn't quit until everything is put away.  And Dave assists bringing out the tables and chairs.  In fact, having the addition of two willing workers makes my task much easier.

Today, we used three tables,  one in the living room and two in the dining room.  Of course, we just have one large room but by separating the tables it made for easier conversation.  I likes the configuration of the people and the tables and chairs.  And as always  at our parties, the food was easy.  Irene and I set out the salad and rolls at each table and as folks were talking out on the deck, we served the lasagna at each place, so when we invited everyone in for lunch, everything was ready  to begin eating.

Dessert was fruit, cherries and cookies.  The fruit bowls had already served as the center piece at each table,  so it was easy to distribute the dessert plates, cherries and cookies and invite the guests to help themselves to tea and coffee.   Our friends seemed to enjoy the lunch and the chance to get together in the middle of the day.  And it did not take up a huge amount of their time.   By 2:30, the kitchen was spic and span.  I think I am enjoying these noon times socials.

July 26, 2011. Western Head, N.S. Bernard Bowles.

Bernie is a force of nature.  Today, Gill and I went to say hello, only to discover that he has spent the past month cutting down trees in his yard, playing lumberjack.  Now this is a man approaching eighty who is a skilled painter and maker of crafts.  Now he is out on his large  property cutting down trees, trimming the branches, and splitting the wood for his winter  fires.

Today he has placed all his cats on one shelf in the kitchen.  There must be 25, each one different, grinning down from their perch.  His painting is as good as ever.  Gill spotted two new pieces she would like to buy.  He has a brain born to create.  His brain never stops generating ideas.  This past winter he purchased a new porcelain tea pot with six matching cups and saucers.  We sat in Bernie's bright red living room drinking from these fancy cups in the midst of over 100 sea gulls suspended from the ceiling.  It all seems perfectly appropriate.

We just love Bernard's expertise and enthusiasm.  He is a force of nature.  You must see him to believe him.

Breakfast

July 25, 2011. Western Head, N.S. Together again.

It was a fine meal,  a truly festive occasion when, for  the first time since last Fall,  the Dwem's ate dinner together.   The Ely's arrived yesterday so tonight we ate dinner at the Mitchell's to welcome them home.  Just the seven of us, catching up on the activities of the past year.  It was a wonderful evening.  Everyone is healthy and everyone is happy which is a great blessing.   Our approach to life is very different but we enjoy each other and we enjoy Nova Scotia.

Of course, today was a perfect day.  Sunny and warm but not hot.  Everyone is feeling fine when the weather is good.

We call ourselves The Dwem's,  an acronym for Dickie, Wu, Ely and Mitchell, who purchased property in that order.  Now we are all here, together again, and happy to be here for the rest of the summer.

July24, 2011. Western Head, N.S. Travels With Herodotus.

Ryszard Kapuscinski is the author of "Travels With Herodotus".  The book was given to us for our 50th anniversary but it got put on the shelf along with other books to be read.  Finally, I am catching up.  It is a wonderful book.  The author was Polish and worked all his life as a journalist, living in Africa and China and India, all the while carrying Herodotus and reading and re- reading the ancient text.

It is a pleasure to read a book written by an excellent author.  I have read several books that I enjoyed but  did not read easily.  But Ryszard is a real writer, easy to read,  informative but thoughtful.   He has written six or seven other books along with his work as a journalist but unfortunately, he died in 2007.

The question of whether or not humans are getting smarter is easily answered by Herodotus.   They were just as smart 2500  years ago.  I have already downloaded another of Kapuscinski's books.  Getting to know a new author is very exciting.

July 23, 2011. Western Head. The Cherry Hill Breakfast.

Last year they raised almost 50 thousand dollars to support the volunteer fire brigade in Cherry Hill.  This morning, 30 hard working folks served us breakfast.   From 7 until 11 they slaved away so we could eat sausage, bacon, pancakes, eggs, beans and toast along with juice and coffee or tea.  The workers are energetic and efficient as well as  pleasant.  They did a great job.

The problem for us is that there  is just too much food but we like to support these  volunteer fire brigades so today we went for brunch.   This Cherry Hill Fire Department has great local support.  Today they will serve over 500 folks their breakfast.  It was hard work for the volunteers but it is well organized and quick.  They have one breakfast a month in addition to one fun run a year and a dinner every two months.  All these fund raisers net out at almost fifty thousand dollars.  I am amazed they don't wear out  the volunteers.  But everyone seemed in good spirits.  Certainly the food was good!!  May they long survive.

July 22, 2011 Western Head, N.S. Swimming.

It was a perfect day for a swim as it was hot at the cottage.  Just sitting on the deck for lunch made you sweat.   For the first time this summer,  Ken and I went swimming.  Now I like to swim, but I especially enjoy it when the sun is shining brightly and the day is warm.  The water will cool you off and then after the swim, the warm air will dry you.   Today was a perfect day.

I tried to get Vinal and Betty into the water but to no avail, so they watched while I swam out to the raft while Ken sat on the rock to cool down.  It is hard to believe but the water was very pleasant, especially right at the top six inches of the water.  Vinal is a non-swimmer; in fact he is afraid to get into the water, so he could not figure out how I stayed at the top of the water wearing a pair of shoes.   Ken suggested that it was something to do with my girth!!  But I said that it was technique.

Today was a perfect day for a swim and I enjoyed every minute of my swim.

July 20, 2011. Western Head, NS. The Planning Phase.

We surprised ourselves by choosing a dark color ceramic flooring for the Carriage House.   Our intention was to install  hickory  on the second floor but on the drive over, Ken wondered why we didn't put in a tile floor, as we have enjoyed the ceramic flooring at the farm and in Texas.  So we did.    All counter tops will be made of Corian of a light marble like cream color while the cabinets will be natural maple.    We have chosen everything from the faucets to the showers to the pulls.  It took us two hours in total.  Angela at J&H said that it was the fastest selection time ever for new home construction.  Of course, we have done it before.

We are even thinking of using blue siding called Cape Cod siding where the color is baked into the wood and guaranteed for fifteen years.  It will be a different look for sure.  Then we will paint the main house a different color too and get away from the boring old  white.  Homes in Nova Scotia and Newfoundland are often painted bright colors, especially by the shore, supposedly to assist the fisherman to find his way from sea back to his own  home.

We are breaking out in a fresh place, Ken and I.

July 19, 2011. Western Head, NS. The House Plans.

This morning Gill and I went to J&H, the lumber and building supply store just south of town.   We haven't built anything for a while, here in Nova Scotia, so it was nice to see that all the working people were still there, working away to help us.   We looked at counter tops and flooring and cabinets.  I am quick with my selections while Gill kept admonishing me to look at other samples.  We were loud and obstreperous but we had fun.  Now Ken and I must go for the real selections tomorrow.  In order for George to give a firm cost for the construction, we must select all out options, including cabinets, bathroom fixtures, flooring, showers, door pulls, electrical fixtures and tiles for the bathrooms.

We met with George, our builder, for three hours this afternoon.  Now he knows what we want with the new building so he can price it out.  But we must choose all the elements.  Ken and I are good at making decisions.  We seldom disagree on a choice and once chosen, we seldom change our minds or re-think our decision.  The new construction will not have a copula but it will have a 10 foot deck on the water side of the building.  And it will be 8 feet wider to accommodate a closet.  The plan is to keep in the same price range as the re-building of the original Carriage House so it will be covered by insurance.  We will see.  Tomorrow, we go and make our choices.

July 18, 2011. Western Head, NS. Spontaneous.

Just when we are finishing up our afternoon activities, Gill called to invite us  to the Mitchell's for a glass of wine and smoked salmon  appetizers.   Gill  invited herself but brought the wine while Mary contributed the food.   It was just the thing.  After all, we had not seen each other for two days!!

Spur of the moment events are delightful.  The unexpected nature of the event seems to add an extra charm.  We chatted for almost an hour,  catching up on the latest developments in Liverpool.  Then, home for our dinner of steak, which we purchased from the caterer in Brooklyn.  Mitchell's business  was new in town three years ago when he cooked many meals for us over our 50th anniversary, so we spontaneously stopped to say hello to him while coming home from the cottage.  Mitchell is doing very well and is as busy as a bee.   He was pleased to see us too although I was sorry to hear that he is too busy to cater parties on short notice.

It is one of the nicest things about living in a small community.  You don't need to plan so far ahead.  You can be spontaneous except you can't hire the caterer.

Jul7 17, 2011. Western Head, NS. A Sunday Brunch.

It was held at our house, today, at 11:00.   It is another of our decisions to entertain during the daylight hours.  Another decision was to keep the parties small, with just five or six people invited.  In attendance was Sandra and Bob S.,  Gill W. and Patricia and William H.   No one knew each other well, which for a social event  is a major asset.  Our home here in Nova Scotia is full of art,  so William, who is an artist,  wanted to see our art,  including several of his own work.  He is an artist, with a gallery on Main Street in Liverpool and over the years we have taken all our company to visit his lovely works of art.

The Brunch was a success.  Everyone seemed to enjoy themselves and the conversation was lively.   I had one observation.   Bob and Sandra are good friends and have lived here almost thirty years.  Prior to that they lived in The Eastern Townships just outside Montreal.  They are polite and very understated.   Everyone at the table have lived in Liverpool longer than Patricia and William.  It did not stop Patricia and William discussing the history of Queen's County,  in addition to criticizing present practices.  Now Bob has been the controller of the county all those years so knows everything that has been done over the years, but he did not say a word.    We all just added to the conversation but were on our best  behavior.

William and Patricia live in Vermont and are Americans, but they summer in Nova Scotia.  They are definitely not Canadians.

July 16, 2011. Western Head, NS. Lanes Privateer Inn.

Susan Lane inherited the place from her father.  It sets on the Mersey River, just before you cross the bridge into Liverpool.  In the olden times, looking at the river or the ocean was not considered attractive, so in the dining room you sit at the front window looking directly at the parking lot across the street.  Finally, three years ago, they opened a patio at the back of the Pub,   overlooking the River , but you can only sit outdoors when the weather is good and the bugs are gone.

We have decided to dine at Lanes once a week.  For the past two years, they closed for the winter season and we do not want them to close permanently, so we will support them.   The Inn has 27 rooms and the dining room is charming.  Fortunately, the food is good too, although sometimes the food is better than others.  It is the best restaurant in town so we want it to stay open.  Tonight, Gill, Mary and Clifton and Ken and I ate dinner at Lane's.  It was easy.  No dishes, no cooking, and no cleaning the kitchen.  We will do it again.

July 15, 2011. Western Head, NS. The Rossignol Center.

It is quite a remarkable collection for a town as small of Liverpool.  Sherwin Hines is a world renowned photographer who was born and raised in Liverpool.  He has never forgotten his roots.  All his life he has collected objects from all around the world.  Whenever he was making pictures, he was also collecting, and kept the stuff in storage, for some time when it could be displayed.

Twenty years ago, the old city hall was sold to Mr. Hines, with the provision that he  keep a museum  open for the public.  It is now a Museum of Photography and holds a small collection of his bronze sculpture in addition to the history of photography.  Gill and I have enjoyed the museum many times.

Then five years ago, the old elementary school was empty when a new modern school was built, so again Mr. Hines accepted the task of putting his collection on display to the public.  It is quite a  place and well worth a visit.    I am always impressed that all these objects were amassed by one person.

Today, Mary, Gill and I went to The Rossignol Center to see a new art show:  "Art On The Wall", all done with fabric.    We are in an obscure town in a small province of Canada, but the art work we saw today was beautiful.  Amazing stuff.

July 14, 2011. Western Head, NS. Eight in the Cottage.

We are not fair weather friends and neither are our friends, so today, eight of us congregated at the cottage to install the boat lift, move the raft and eat hamburgers and hot dogs down by the water.  The only problem was the weather.  It was 55 degrees F. and the wind was strong.  No one in their right mind could work in the water today and staying outside would make  even the strong hearted wish they had a house.  Even though our house at the lake is small, today it met all our needs.  Eight people were comfortable and warm and grateful.

More than eight would have been a problem, but for the eight of us we fit just fine.  The propane stove kept us warm and the conversation was lively.  The men worked on the boat and fixed several bits that were in need of repair while the ladies chatted.  One couple were new to us. Martha and Harvey,  but have been friends of Vinal and Betty for years, also Billy and Bunny,  so we were pleased to meet them.  It was a combined meal:  Betty made the potato salad and home made relish, Bunny baked the dessert while Martha prepared the cole slaw while Harvey brought his home made bread and blueberry bread.  I bought the hot dogs and hamburgers and the buns.

Our intention was to install the boat lift and relocate the raft.  Instead we sat and chatted in the warm and cosy cabin and enjoyed ourselves, in addition,  discovering that eight in the little cottage works just fine.

July 13, 2011. Western Head, NS, Retirement.

It is always the question asked of me,  "Don't you just love being retired?"    And I am told "Congratulations".    I say very little to this response because, as everything else in life,  nothing is pure.  The same thing was said when I took the job as a manager after being an agent for ten years.    My response was always difficult because I enjoyed my life as a real estate agent.  I was in charge of my time and I was in charge of my income so giving that up was not easy.  Taking the job as a manager was not better than being an agent, but it was different than being an agent.  I was certainly not in charge of my time and I was one step away from controlling my income, but I took the job, because someone had to do it.

Being retired is somewhat similar.  I enjoyed my job as a manager.  I had income and status.    Now I have neither.  But my status has always been internal and we have worked hard to keep our income in retirement sufficient for our needs, so the lack of status and income are not an issue.  I am enjoying my retirement but it not as though I have been longing to be retired,  so when the good folks assume that I am delighted,  I just laugh and tell them that we are enjoying our life, which is true.  But I never did hate my working life.

July 12, 2011. Western Head, NS. Dining at Gill's.

Once upon a time, many years ago, when we were all at the  beach at Nags Head, Gill burned the soup.   It was left over soup, made by me, and delicious, before Gill got at it.  It was to be  served to  the sixteen os us before departing for home.  But Gill burned the soup.  We ate it of course.  From that time until today, we still make fun of Gill's ability in the kitchen, even though we have all eaten many delicious meals at her home,  all cooked by her.

Last night was a perfect example.   Gill tells us about her poor cooking ability while serving us a wonderful meal.  It is fascinating to observe.   We ate trout, cooked in the oven and served on a large platter surrounded by cut up lemons.   The presentation looked professional.  Rice and broccoli went along with the fish and sauteed onions too.  The six of us enjoyed it.   Fresh berries for dessert, then later ice cream and tea.   I always wonder when we will stop calling Gill a terrible cook.  She actually cooks very well, much to her surprise.

July 11, 2011. Western Head, NS, Shopping.

Pressure is mounting.  I have until June 2nd, 2012 to complete the purchase of all the belongings for new The Carriage House.   I will be here in Nova Scotia until mid September but I will have company from July the 23rd to August 27, which will leave me little time for shopping.   I have 340 objects to purchase.  Today I started.   Canadian Tire is a great store so I bought 14 items for the kitchen, such as a toaster and coffee pot and set of pots and pans along with wine glasses and cutlery.

Now that the objects are purchased, the problem is not over,  because now they must be stored until the Carriage House is built.  It hasn't even been demolished let alone built.  But I have faith.  Today, all the stuff was stacked into the closet under the stairs, which we keep for coats.   This home  does not have a lot of storage space which was the custom in 1900 so I will soon run our of nooks and crannies.  I will continue my task tomorrow with another long list and will store them upstairs in my closet.

Of course, the large objects  must await the construction.  Our intention was to come next June, but I think we must make a winter trip to Nova Scotia.  Pressure.  Pressure.

July 10, 2011. Western Head, NS. Surfing in Gull Bay.

The waves do not look high enough, but there they are, out surfing at Gull Bay, right in front of our home.   The day is perfect, with clear skies and bright sunshine.  Even better than the weather, the surf is up.  I did not notice the surf early this morning, but someone in the surfer community arrived to measure the surf.   Soon, the surfers appeared.  And stayed.  I think it was surfer school.  Cell phones rule.

The wind is always blowing at the shore.  We wonder why someone doesn't try wind surfing?  Several years ago, we asked, and were told that the many rocks make wind surfing dangerous, but we have many long beaches without large rocks.    Large kites are pulled by surfers in the Pacific, even out in the waves, but nothing doing here in Nova Scotia.  I wonder why?

Today, it is a picture perfect postcard moment, here at Gull Bay, and we are enjoying the scene.

July9, 2011. Western Head, NS. The Cottage.

Now it is ready for the summer.   The refrigerator and freezer are full and the furniture is in place.  The chairs we use down on the deck by the lake are a bit rickety but we hope they last for the season.    One by one, I expect the chairs will fall apart.

Yesterday was a perfect day for the cottage.  My habit is to take a case of supplies down by the water, containing bug spray and bug cream, sun screen, binoculars, water, Kindle and Kleenex and sunglasses,  where I sit and watch for ducks and loons.  Every so often I read.  Eventually, Ken joins me with a bottle of wine and two plastic wine glasses.   Every so often we see a boat where we watch the ripples and the waves.  It is quite complicated although some would find it dull.  Talking and watching are our games.

This morning it was raining.   There is not much to do at the cottage when it is raining.  Ken sorted his fishing gear while I read.  Late in the morning, we drove home.  I decided that if you are living at the cottage and it rains, you could have a good time but when we have another choices,  we elected to drive home.  Options are wonderful!!

July 7, 2011. Western Head, NS. A Birthday Party.

Tonight was the first of the summer celebrations.  Mary M. was having a birthday so Susie and Jeff. had a party.  It is a tradition for Mary to fly kites on her birthday and tonight was no exception.  At one point Mary had three kites up in the air.

The dinner party was festive.  First we had the birthday, then Gill had arrived this afternoon, and finally, three folks were present who I did not know.   Bruce is just relocating to Western Head from Otter Lake just outside Parry Sound.  He has purchased his house here, to settle in August.  The good fellow went searching for the kite when one fell from the sky and he found it, off in the bushes on the top of a tree.  The other couple live right next to our artist friend Roger Savage, in fact Karen, the wife,  is his sister and Ron, the husband was in charge of the exhibits at the Science Museum in Toronto.  They have lived here since 2005 but we had not yet met them, even though I knew of them.  Now it is official.

Wonderful chocolate cake and ice cream.  Tasty pasta and salads.  Lively company.  All together makes for a splendid evening.

July 6, 2011. Western Head, NS. The Ladies Coffee Party.

I stole the idea, but  I always use other peoples ideas.    Definitely, new ideas don't come to me easily.  Never had.  But I am good at using others peoples ideas and giving them credit.  When spending time in Mississippi,  friends on two different occasions,  invited me to their homes for coffee.     I was invited for coffee after lunch, at 2:00.   We ate an elegant dessert, made by the hostess and drank coffee out of china cups.   We sat and chatted, ate and drank,  and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves, at least I did.

I decided to do it in Nova Scotia, so invited eight lady friends for coffee this morning at 10:30.  We sat at the dining table and ate chocolate cake,  pastries and strawberries along with coffee to drink.   The ladies seemed to enjoy getting together.  It was festive and unusual.   Good ideas need spreading around!!

June 5, 2011. Western Head, NS. A Work Day.

This morning we received the first edition of the plans for our new Carriage House.  We spent the first hour of the day making changes.  The first draft of anything is always the most difficult, so we were pleased to receive them.  Now we have a date with Peter.  the draftsman, to talk on the phone tomorrow at 8:30.  Ken and I think he forgot where the ocean was located, but tomorrow we will get it all straight.

This afternoon I worked to make use able the cutlery and dishes from the Carriage House.   And I laundered towels too,  adding bleach to each load, but they still came out smelling of smoke, so I put them in a trash bag.  My hand are red and sore from scrubbing the dishes and cutlery,  but the results made up for the effort.

Tuna and asparagus for dinner.  The fish is always fresh here in Nova Scotia.  The fish department at Sobey's is excellent, so when I went shopping this morning I purchased three types of seafood:  yellow tuna, wild salmon, and scallops.  Ken grilled the tuna tonight, which we served with horse radish.   Delicious.  It was a wonderful dinner after a hard days work.

Floats

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Bands

July 4, 2011. Western Head, NS. Our Parade.

Our parade was perfect.  Even our band, The Mercy Band,  sounded great.   The whole parade lasted one hour and started at 11:00, so by noon we were in the truck and on the way to the cottage.   The Mounties, all six of them,  marched at the front of the parade wearing their dress uniforms looking very elegant, right in front of our own band, playing all the way.  They even stopped in front of us to play another tune.  In total, there were three local bands and three pipe bands along with multiple floats both simple and complex.  It was a true picture of small town North America.

The main street was lined with people who cheered all along the way.   Fortunately, the weather was perfect.  Ken and I and Susie and Jeff sat on a stone wall under the shade of a large tree so we were comfortable the whole time.  It is interesting to watch the people purposely walk across the street to sit in the sun.  That would never happen in Texas or Mississippi where people always look for shade.   Evidently, the crowd watching  the parade was the largest  number in the history of Privateers Day.   I was pleased to join in the festive occasion.

July 3, 2011. Western Head, NS. The Cottage.

The weather was perfect for a cottage so out we went yesterday morning.  Our task was to put all the furniture in place and make a list of the food we need for the season.  The plan was to stay over night.  After a lunch of a bowl of Betty's chowder (taken from the freezer from last fall) we started  into our tasks.  I had just called Ken to suggest that it was time to quit and open a bottle of wine when Mary and Walt drove up.  Perfect timing.

It was a lovely evening sitting on the deck and dining on easy food.  Lasagna, salad and fresh strawberries.  

The first night at the cottage is a bit of a puzzle.  Perhaps it is the size of the bedroom which is small, or perhaps the size of the bed which is a double, but the first night in that bedroom in that bed I do not sleep well.  I am sure it is all in my mind.

Vinal and Billy came bright and early today to install the dock but by 3:00, they thought it time to go fishing, so they did.   But the only part yet to be put in place is the boat lift so they deserved a bit of fun.  Now we are ready for the season.

July 2, 2011. Western Head, NS. The Parade.

Today, at 11:00, we will celebrate Canada Day at the Liverpool  Parade.   Mary M. will march in the Mercy Band, playing all the way, to the cheers of the crowd.  Two years ago, the bandmaster collapsed from the heat but we hope everyone is fine today although several of the band members are over 70.   Ken wondered why they didn't hire a flat bed truck so the band could play sitting down.  After all, the parade route is well over a mile.  In addition, we will be seeing floats both large and small along with pipe bands and horse drawn wagons.  It is a 'come one come all'  kind of parade so we will watch kids on decorated bicycles alongside fancy floral floats.  It will be fun.

Then Ken and I will drive to the cottage, to set out the furniture and enjoy the beautiful weather.  Tomorrow, Vinal, Billy and Ken will begin installing the dock and the raft.  At that point, the summer will begin in earnest.  Today, we will celebrate Canada Day in Liverpool.

July 30. 2011. Western Head, NS. Canada Day.

First we thought we would go to the cottage to celebrate Canada Day but then we decided to attend Privateer Days in Liverpool.  Instead we stayed home and worked,  Ken, in the yard trimming the bushes while I completing the task of the list of destroyed objects from The Carriage House.  Now I must obtain current prices before  turning it  in to Graham, our insurance adjuster.

The weather has turned cool and windy, at least at the shore.  Ken and I have been a bit anti-social since arriving in Nova Scotia.   Ken is busy working on the yard and I have not taking the time to call any of our local friends, probably because Ken needs a bit of a break.  This summer we have decided to entertain at the cottage more often than at the ocean house, and to entertain over the lunch time.  We will see if it works.

Canada Day is a national holiday and flags are flying all over town.  It is only recently that Canadians became patriotic, so Canada Day is the day to shine.  It is a happy occasion.