August 31, 2012. Western Head, NS. The Dinner.

Gill is known as a very bad cook.  She speaks of herself as a bad cook.   But on Wednesday evening, she could have been cooking for the Gods, the food tasted so good.  Her reputation started years ago when we were all staying in a big house in Nags Head.  Gill was charged with heating the leftover soup for lunch.  It was our last meal before heading for home so the soup, carefully prepared by me,  merely needed to be heated prior to our three families eating and departing.   In other words,  the cars were loaded and everyone had spent a happy final morning on the beach.

All Gill did was burn the soup and her reputation has never left her.   You could smell the burned soup when walking from the beach and perhaps because we all ate the burned soup, the taste stayed with us.  But Wednesday evenings dinner party might make us change her image.  

We ate smoked salmon while sitting on her deck for cocktails.  She turned the table sideways so we could all enjoy watching the whales during dinner.  And the dinner was delicious.   Fancy paste made with bacon and cheese, salad and fresh bread.  From now on I am going to refer to Gill as an excellent cook and never again refer to the burned soup.  After all, that was almost forty years ago!!

August 30, 2012. Western Head, NS. The Boat.

A few years ago, Mary and Clif purchased a sailing boat.  Mary had sailed when she lived in California and as they lived by the sea in Nova Scotia,  Mary wanted her own boat.  Fortunately, their neighbor John was an expert sailer, so he advised her in her purchase, which she bought second hand using the Internet.  Of course, this boat belongs to Clif and Mary together but it is really Mary's boat.  They took sailing lessons in Annapolis.  Each season, Vinal helps to launch the boat.  Yesterday, the boat was pulled from the water and now is in the garage, waiting for June 2013.

The boat is kept all summer in our little Marina in Brooklyn.  Most days when the weather is fine, Mary and Clif go sailing.  By now they are able to take the boat out and bring it back without using the motor.  In other words, they have become experts.  In addition, they have met a whole new group of friends, all who keep their boats at the Marina.  Gill sails with them too, also their friend Frances.   But now me.  I prefer to stay on dry land.  I especially don't enjoy sitting in a small unstable boat where at any time I could get wet.  But Mary loves her boat and enjoys sailing in our waters.  Now they wait for next summer.

August 29, 2012. Western Head, NS. Wilson Quarterly.

The Wilson Quarterly has gone totally digital.  This September 2012 issue is their last print edition.   We must sign up for a new digital subscription.   It certainly makes sense but part of me is irritated because I have always kept The Wilson Quarterly to save when we are traveling.    One issue kept me busy.

This issue is well worth reading.  The American Vistas section is worth the price of admission.   Four long time contributors evaluating the past and looking into the future of American life will give any thoughtful American much to ponder.  

Ken has been trying to have all our magazines arrive on our Kindle or iPad.  I have resisted. I like a magazine in my hand and I like reading the end first.    Now I am accustomed to Commentary even though I prefer the printed version.  On the other hand, our magazines are always late as we only send our mail every couple of weeks.  With the digital magazine,  it is never late.  it arrives in my iPad the day of publication.   I can see that sooner than later, the printed editions of all magazines will disappear.  I better get used to it.

August 28, 2012. Western Head, NS. Pleasure.

It is a simple pleasure for sure.  This afternoon, Gillian walked over for tea.   It was not fancy and it was not profound but it gave great pleasure for both of us.   Soon Gill will return to Toronto and we no longer will drink tea in the afternoon, at least not with each other.   But here in Western Head, one of the pleasures of living here is our friends,  friends who we can walk over for afternoon tea, even when it is raining, which it was today.

Often in life, the simple actions give the most pleasure.  Today,  afternoon tea along with our conversation was a pleasure indeed.  

August 27, 2012. Western Head, NS. Quiet.

Science News published a piece about the impact of human noise on the development of blue birds.  It seems that when subjected to human noise, survival rate for the chicks is decreased thirty five percent.  The researchers don't know why but they suspect that the baby birds can not be heard by the parents which triggers the parents to feed them.  Or perhaps it is something else entirely.

Yesterday morning, Ken and I went to the cottage and returned today at 1:00.   What we heard was the absence of human noise.  We heard lots of loon sounds and we heard black ducks chirping and clucking.   During the time we were there, we saw two or three boats, all well off in the distance.  We have always wondered why we cherish our times in remote, quiet areas.  Now I know.  We like the bluebirds, survive better when we are removed from human noise at least for a short time.   But we still don't know why it is a good thing.  We just know that being in the  quiet calms the soul.   Perhaps, after a day at the cottage, we are ready for action and people and activity.   I just know that a day at the cottage gives great pleasure.

August 25, 2012. Western Head, NS. A Party.

It was the best of parties.  Jan and Larry held a cocktail party tonight and their friends attending the party were all unknown to me.  I was able to chat with new people the whole time.   It was a pleasure to meet permanent residents of Liverpool.

Most of the folks lived near Jan and Larry and most have lived in Liverpool for ten years or more.  One couple, Jeff and Ann were both born and raised here.  He was one of the two men who helped Mary out of the water when she was washed off the causeway.  Another couple lived in the  charming blue cape cod home that is surrounded by the iron fence just down the street.  I see their home every time I drive into town.  They moved to Liverpool from North Carolina in 2000.  She is a veterinarian who works in both Chester and Shelburne.  Another young man and his wife purchased a large old home near the lighthouse and now is running it as a Senior Home.

One couple were from Port Medway, which they purchased in 1970.  Now they live here six months of the year.  The rest of the time they live in Ottawa.  I was delighted to meet them because they are active with the Literary Association, bring three authors to come for a reading and a discussion.  I wish I could attend but by the time I hear of it,  all tickets are sold.

Larry and Jan went to a lot of trouble with the food and their friends.  I enjoyed every minute of the event.

August 24, 2012. Western Head, NS. Our Excursion.

Gill came with us today, on our excursion to Lunenburg.  We had been told that one of our favorite artists had died this winter and we wanted to go to Lunenburg to check it out.  Another artist we like is 92 years old and we wondered how he had fared this winter too.  Our excursion also included the drive along the shore,  as well as stops at Hugh Crosby (to show him the two early sketches of his I bought at a yard sale),  and to return a $8.50 deposit  at a new brewery in Cherry Hill.   The last item of business was to sign off with the Insurance adjuster and receive our last cheque.   We checked off everything on our list and enjoyed the drive along the shore as well.

Finally, we were successful in Lunenburg too.  Mr. Purcell has had two strokes but he is still active and alert and still painting.  Mr. Mauril has had cancer this winter but says he is fine now, although he looked  weary.  He was worried about us because we usually visit his gallery several times a season and we had not seen him since 2010.  We had a grand reunion with hugs all around.   Both artists are alive but not necessarily well.

Both artists do wonderful work.  I wish I was rich so I could purchase more of their work.

August 23, 2012. Western Head, NS. A Home With a View.

For two summers in a row,  they rented next door to Gill, in a house actually owned by Gill.  One day during their first summer, when I was walking, I met them and invited them to a party.   They live in Toronto and had come to visit their friends, the  owners of The Morton House, who had lived right across the street, before relocating to Nova Scotia.    They seemed to become family.  Last year they came to the cottage, along with their very nice son.

This Sunday at The Morton House concert, they were there and invited us to cocktails at their new rental, complete with a small map with directions.  Yesterday was the day.

Talk about a house with a view!!  This year Gill's house was fully booked, so they rented from the Internet on a web site where owners enter the data.  No licensing, just a description and a price.   Their new rental house is right at the end of Summerville Beach and the house is one hundred feet from their very own sand beach.  It is a glorious place but not a house I would enjoy in a storm.   We had often observed the homes along the beach from The Quarterdeck, but never knew how to get to them.  Now we know that you drive on River Head Road, right off #103, and find these isolated lovely homes, which are great to rent but would never wish to own.   It was wonderful sitting on the deck drinking a glass of wine, just a few feet from the high tide.  Truly, a home with a view.

August 22, 2012. Western Head, NS. The Artist.

Gill discovered him 10 years ago by following a small sign that said "Crafts and Art".   Bernard Bowles lived in the house with the funny sign.   We have been friends ever since.

Today, Gill, Mary and I took Bernie out for lunch.   We dined at the restaurant as having  The World's Best Clams!!    He liked it, being taken out by three ladies.    After lunch, he invited us into his house for tea.   He served us tea using a lovely china tea pot and china cups and saucers.  

Every time we visit him his house has changed.  Today he has well over 100 snowflakes hanging from the ceiling of the kitchen, which he has made from tin can lids and tin snips.  With the sun shining into the room the whole place sparkles.   In the adjacent sitting room are hung 25 sea gulls, each one with a personality and of course made by Bernie.  New paintings are leaning on the walls of the living room and several being redone in his studio.   It is fascinating to see what he had been up to since our last visit.  His artist brain just never stops thinking and creating.  He is a treasure.  

Now if he would only paint a picture of a trombone for my brother we would all be happy.  At least he mentioned the painting today.  "Maybe by next summer", he said.  

August 21, 2012. Western Head, NS. Voyages.

Tonight was the final concert for Scott MacDonald.  He had been the bandmaster of the Mersey Band for six years but now is returning to graduate school.  The concert tonight was a tribute to Scott, held at the Zion United Church in Liverpool.   Now for several reasons, the band played very well.   Twenty three players were added to the roster, twenty-three people who have played with Scott over the years and who wanted to be part of the tribute.   All the 'Ringers" were excellent players.   Five players were from Salvation Army bands in Halifax so tonight,  the brass section sounded great.  We had our own Mersey Band plus 23  good players from Bridgewater, Chester and Halifax.  No wonder the band sounded good!!

A second reason the band sounded especially good was the church.  The sound in the church was wonderful and masked the mud in the middle.  It must have been the high ceilings that made the music sound so clear.  The program moved along briskly and the music was lively.  The band even played an Eric Leidzen march 'On The Kings Highway'.

We all wish Scott well with his studies.  The band has grown in size and expertise under his tutelage.   Now the new bandmaster, Rod McGillivray, will take up the task of keeping the enthusiasm and the talent growing.   This concert tonight, Voyages, has started Scott along his path.

August 20, 2012. Western Head, NS. Birthdays.

Yesterday was a very pleasant day for Ken, celebrating his 76th all day long.  For dinner, Gill, Mary and Clif. took us both the dinner at Lane's Privateer Inn, in honor of both of our birthdays.  As we will not be together in December, we celebrated both birthdays last evening.  We all five went directly from the Swing Band concert, even though it was early for dinner.   The scallops I ate were delicious and the company was good too.

Ken's day started by preparing our Brunch.  Larry came by himself as Jan had to return to Ottawa.  We always enjoy Larry's company.  He is an energetic and enthusiastic person who likes to get things done.  Our times together are always enjoyable.  Ken cooked bacon, sausage and scrambles eggs.  Larry made the toast while I arranged the table and set out the blueberries and yogurt.  It was a great brunch.

Ken was happy with his birthday, even though we sang Happy Birthday to him at Lane's when they brought his dessert with a lit candle.   He is most pleased to be getting to age 76!!

August 19, 2012. Western Head, NS. The Morton House.

This afternoon, the owners of the Morton House in Milton hosted a swing band concert.   The Morton House is a beautiful old B&B.  It has a front porch overlooking a large lawn that slopes gently down to the Mersey River.   It was a perfect place to sit outdoors and listen to our new swing band.  The audience was enthusiastic.   The band played music familiar to the audience,  so we loved the program.  After all, we lived through the era of the big bands and  we enjoy returning to our youth.

Today there were several surprises.  First was the expertise of the new swing band.  They were good.   The group was newly formed in May and I look forward to hearing them again.   The second surprise was the number of people in the audience.   There must have been well over one hundred folks scattered around the lawn sitting in the shade.   This is a small community and I was pleased to see so many people coming to an outdoor concert given by a new musical group.  The expertise of the local musicians is always surprising to me and today was a perfect example.  It was a lovely Sunday afternoon  enjoying our new swing band sitting outside on the Morton House lawn.

August 18, 2012. Western Head, NS. Hugh Crosby.

At a yard sale in 1999,  I purchased two pen and ink drawings of houses.   The artist was Hugh Crosby.   When I showed the two pieces to my friend Mary McD. she told me that Hugh was born and raised in Liverpool, who now lived and painted in Prince Edwards Island.   These paintings of mine appeared to be an early Hugh Crosby, perhaps done when he was at school.   Ever since that time, I have wanted to meet Hugh Crosby.

We now own several pieces painted by Hugh, all purchased by the Adja gallery in town.   Last year, Hugh returned to live in Liverpool, and has opened a gallery in  a small building behind his home in Beach Meadows.  Today we met him.  I knew he has gotten involved in pottery but now he is not painting at all, but is spending all his time with his pottery.  

I told him about our first home drawings and he asked us to bring them out so he could date them.   Pen and ink sketches of homes were the first art where he made money.   He is a wonderful artist, well known in Nova Scotia and PEI.   I am delighted to have finally met him.  I hope he gets back to painting and I wish I could afford to buy more of his work.  He is a nice man and a wonderful artist.

Port Medway

August 17, 2012. Western Head, NS. Band Camp.

Today was the final concert of the Band Camp in Liverpool.  I have attended many many final concerts at band camps both for myself and for my children.  Today at the Gorham school in Liverpool I heard a very enjoyable concert.   The kids loved the music they were playing and so did the audience.  The teachers chose music appealing to the players with lots of jazz and uptempo music.   I have heard better bands but I have never enjoyed a better concert.

This is the third year for the band camp to be held in Liverpool.   The camp is open to all ages so at camp were four ladies over 60 along with an 8 year old trumpet player.   Scott started up the Mersey Band five years ago and to increase the expertise of the players, he started band camp.  Every year the playing at camp is better.  My friend Mary attends band camp as a way to improve her flute playing.  Today she played a solo in one piece and she sounded great.   It was quite a thrill to hear the expertise and the enthusiasm of the players in the camp.   The new bandmaster, Rod,  was in attendance too and is looking forward to taking up the leadership of the band.  He will also run the band camp next year.    

It was an impressive hour, being a part of the final concert of the Liverpool Band Camp.  I was surprised and delighted with the event.

August 16, 2012. Western Head, NS. Alone.

For years I have been asked about what we did all by ourselves at the farm?    We had no television and we lived in a remote area, so friends were puzzled what we do with ourselves when we were there.  Now I get the same questions about our little cottage.   "What do you do there?" is what we are asked.

Yesterday after breakfast, Ken and I slipped away to the cottage.   All morning, I read while sitting on the end of the dock in the shade.  And I swam twice.   While sitting by myself, three loons came visiting and sang their cray calls.    Another lone loon came up very close to the raft.  I was trying to read the John MacDonald book but ended up watching loons.  They must be getting ready to head south.

Betty and Vinal came out for a late lunch and headed home by 3:00.  Ken fished while I read.  The evening was lovely so we sat outside on the deck by the house.  As we ate a large lunch of hamburgers and hodge podge, Ken and I ate yogurt and raisin bread for dinner.  Inside the little house we read all evening.  No radio and no television and absolutely no sounds of machines could be heard.  It was the sound of silence.

The weather forecast for today was for rain so we left mid morning and drove back roads to Bridgewater, then home along the river and the shore.  It was a lovely drive.  It was also a day away from responsibilities and sounds.  We loved it.

August 14, 2012. Western Head, NS. Nation Maker.

I have been holding off reading this book.  It is Volume Two of a two part biography of Sir John A. MacDonald.  So far, Volume One has not arrived so I will begin in the middle, just after Confederation in 1867, when Canada truly became CANADA.   Up until then, it was four separate colonies attached to Britain.  

My reason to avoid beginning in the middle escapes me because I have often started at the end of a book and then worked backwards, so starting in the middle of the life of this famous man should be no problem for me.   Sir John A. MacDonald is really only famous in Canada but he was a remarkable person and politician.  The book will tell me that he is the person responsible for the way Canada is today, even after all these years.    He died in 1891.

I know what the author, Richard Gwyn,  is going to tell me in this book, because I read the last chapter!!  But first, I will begin at the middle of the whole biography of this interesting, able man, Sir John A. MacDonald.

August 13, 2012. Western Head, NS. Another Book.

I have know Albert all my life even though I knew nothing much about him... until now.   The Albert Hall and The Victoria and Albert Museum were both familiar to me, after being named after Albert, the husband of Queen Victoria.   I knew he died young and I knew Victoria never got over mourning his death, and I knew he was German, but that was about the extent of my knowledge.  This new book,  "Albert", by Jules Stewart tells it all.   And a good tale it is.

The author suggests that the survival of British monarchy was the result of Albert's influence on Queen Victoria and his attitude to British politics.    I have often wondered how the British Royals have survived when all the others have been blown away.  This book gives you the answers or at least another of the theories.   The book is easy to read and interesting and well within the time frame familiar to us all.   I have enjoyed reading about this dedicated clever man and only wish he had not died at age 42.

August 12, 2012. Western Head, NS. Friend's Food.

There are many benefits, living close to your good friends.  Yesterday, late afternoon, Gill walked by to ask if we wanted to eat dinner.  She purchased fresh food and did not wish to eat alone.  In the afternoon, her son and daughter in law left for New York.  Ken had just come  in from the garden, bringing cucumbers, green beans and carrots.   It was our intention to cook ribs but we were delighted to share her fish.    Gill walked home for the fish.  When she returned, Ken kicked us both out of the kitchen while he cooked the fish and the vegetables.  It was a delicious shared dinner.

This afternoon, I called Wendy to ask if they wanted to come and eat a rib dinner with us?  She suggested a better idea.  Last evening they had dinner guests and ended up with too much food.   Of course, Ken and I were delighted to eat shrimp and scallop pasta.  They brought the food over and we dined at our home.     They brought wine and bread too.  I served cucumbers from the garden.  For dessert we ate local blueberries with vanilla yogurt.  Delicious.

Two evening in a row we have been the beneficiary of our friends food and generosity.  It is a wonderful side benefit of living close to good friends.

August 11, 2012. Western Head, NS. Familiar Family.

My brother Dave and sister in law Irene went to visit their friend Bob Merritt in the hospital.   Bob was a fellow trombone player so Dave and Bob have been friends a long time. I do not known Bob well but I have known the Merritt family all my life.  Bob's father and uncles were all friends of my parents.  In an organization such as The Salvation Army, some families are major players and the Merritt's were one of those families.   My parents always spoke well of the Merritt family.

On the bathroom wall in Nova Scotia is a picture of Colonel Jim Merritt, in the official picture  officiating at my parent's wedding.   I believe he was the principal of the Training College in Winnipeg, where my parents met.   He also wrote the marches The Canadian and the Golden West.    In the 20's and 30's, Henry Merritt, a brother,  was the Bandmaster of the Winnipeg Citadel Corps during the time my parents lived in Winnipeg.

When my parents were stationed to the Toronto Dovercourt Corps in 1935, Bill, another brother,  was the Bandmaster.  Percy, the father of Bob, was the assistant Bandmaster and also the Divisional Bandmaster.    All these Merritt's were life long friends of my parents, so I had heard their name all my life.  It is a name from my youth.

August 10, 2012. Western Head, NS. Nova Scotia.

I am always perplexed when people have no interest in traveling.  For instance,  Nova Scotia is a charming, beautiful place,  yet most people in North America have never set eyes on the place.  For many folks it is definitely not money.   It is certainly not time.    Most people return to the same place every year for the annual vacation even though there is a whole world to explore.  It is a puzzle to me.

The whole of Nova Scotia is a bit like living in a movie set.  The towns and villages are old and mostly on the coast, so picaresque.    Your camera must be kept close by.   The rivers are short and rocky but beautiful.  The only city of any size is Halifax, a very old, interesting  town and the Acadia's coast brings another level of interest and information.    The history goes back to the early 17th Century.

The people may be the best part, at least it is after the scenery.  Nova Scotia is a simple place.  But there are hundreds of places to find in North America that are just as beautiful.   I wonder why people don't explore them?  It makes no sense to me.

August 9, 2012. Western Head, NS. Smoked Salmon.

It really does taste better here.  Every season I forget but tonight at our little cocktail hour, I was reminded  of how good it really is.   The smoked salmon is just better here in Nova Scotia.  Now perhaps I was just hungry or perhaps the weather effected the flavor  but everyone commented on how good it tasted.  Dave and Irene bought the salmon in Port Mouton at the Mersey Fish Products.  It has been frozen ever since they were here early in July, but tonight we thawed and served the smoked salmon along with  capers, onions and whipped cream cheese.

The purpose for the gathering of our friends was to greet Tim and Kate, who live in New York city.   This little part of the world is very different from New York and the smoked salmon is different too.   We sat on the deck enjoying the evening and each other along with the wine and smoked salmon.  It was a pleasant, easy event.   After everyone left for home, Ken and I ate more smoked salmon for dinner.  It was a real treat, thanks to Dave and Irene's generosity and the Nova Scotia smoked salmon.

August 8, 2012. Western He'd, NS. The Award.

Wendy named the award last evening, and  Tim won the prize,  for being the Best Boy tonight.  He cooked dinner.

One of the side effects of the four friends living for the summer in Nova Scotia is that we get to see each others grown up children.  We all lived in Bethesda when our children were very small so we saw these children grow up.  When they visit their parents in Nova Scotia,     we get to see them as adults.   It is a big asset in our lives.

Tim is Gill's elder son.  He arrived early Tuesday morning and by noon, decided to cook a chicken curry for everyone.  Phone calls were made mid afternoon to join them all for dinner at her place.  The friends gathered and Wendy awarded Tim the Best Boy prize,  for being here and cooking dinner for us all.   Hats off the Tim for being the Best Boy of the Day.

August 6, 2012. Western Head, NS. Fabric Art.

Tomorrow, Wendy and I will visit a show of Fabric Art, held at the Rossignal Center in Liverpool, Nova Scotia.   This is the fifth year I have attended the show.  The quality of the handwork has been high, from quilting to embroidery.  Our town is small but the objects on display will be both small and big and numerous.  It is actually a contest so prizes will be awarded in each category.  

It is similar to the musicians around here.  There are so many of them.   I have often wondered why.  Perhaps it is the long winters or perhaps people spend no time in traffic, thus spending more time playing their instrument or working with their hand work.  Whatever the cause, the good folks of Liverpool do good work with fabric.   The only problem for me in the past is that few pieces of fabric art are for sale.    The owner must keep it, thus depriving me of purchasing anything.  But this year, I am not in the acquiring mode so I will enjoy and observe the beautiful objects.  It will be an amazing show I am sure.

August 5, 2012. Western Head, NS. Hummingbirds.

In Liverpool, everywhere you look you see flowers.   People work very hard to fill their yard with flowers.   Hummingbirds like that,  so we see hummingbirds all the time outside by the pond.  This week, Ken bought a hummingbird feeder and installed it on the window at the end of the Mud Room.  The feeder is big and bright.   Much to our surprise, the hummingbirds found it immediately, so now we watch these beautiful birds from a distance of one foot.   And the Spruce tree right behind the feeder has become a resting place for the little birds.  

It gives me great pleasure to watch these birds.  Sometimes there are eight birds fighting for a spot to eat from the feeder.   We see both male and female ruby throat hummers.  They all fight for their spot.  In fact, after watching the birds this week, it is apparent that these small birds are aggressive at all times.  They are small,  their beaks are long and their back feathers are iridescent.   Life is very simple watching those hummingbirds.

Guest House Snapshots

August 3, 2012. Western Head, NS. The Art.

Our collection of art has grown over the years.  The new insurance company has asked us for a list of the art we own here in Nova Scotia, complete with the acquisition cost and the size, along with a brief description.   I have decided to organize the art,  room by room, rather than by the artists.     This task is not insignificant but must be done.

So far I have listed the art in each room, including bathrooms and halls.  Ken measured the office and kitchen before we quit for lunch.   I record the measurement after first telling him the piece of art.    When all the measurements are done, I will record the cost which Ken will review before entering the information into the computer.    By Monday I hope to be turning the information over to the company.

It is something I have been putting off for ages, coming up with one excuse after another.  First we had company, then I needed to complete the purchases for the Guest House.  Now my excuses are over and I am now completing the task.  Actually, it would have been much easier to do when friends were here to help.  Ken and I don't actually work well together but we are getting it done, although very late.   There is always something tedious that needs to be done.

August 2, 2012. Western Head, NS. The Guest House.

The insurance case is closed.  The file has placed in the cabinet.    Everything has been done in the Guest House.   Two couples have enjoyed living there and report that all is in order.   It is a lovely place to stay.   All  furniture and pictures are in place and the cabinets are as full as they are going to be.   The report is now in,  that the new Guest House is more comfortable than the old Carriage House.    The deck overlooking the ocean is lovely.  The Guest House is ready.

Of course, nothing is ever totally over.   I have three towel racks to install, plus two racks made for clothes, plus two boards to hang brooms and mops.   I am determined to have the last dregs installed next week.  David N. who was so helpful when we arrived,  promised they would be done this week, but as tomorrow is Friday, I am not optimistic.    But everything I can do is complete.

Ken's workshop is wonderful.  He has a reclining chair where he overlooks the ocean and the lake.  Also he took the electronic piano and both brass instruments over to his studio, the area where his chair sets on the Persian rug.  Quite a workshop indeed!!

August 1, 2012. Western Head, NS. The Weather.

The weather has  never been important to me.   I have always ignored the weather and gone on with the planned activity.    But you can't do that in Nova Scotia.   The weather will bite you.   Today it was the wind that kept me inside.  All day I listened to the wind roaring around our home and watched the waves crashing onto the shore from the safety of the living room.  It was a lovely day to stay indoors.

The weather in Nova Scotia is very changeable.  When we moved here we were told about the bad weather, and that if we did not like the weather right now, just to wait a bit,  because the weather always changes.  And it does.   Pouring rain one minute and in an hour the sun will shine.  But today was the perfect day to stay indoors, at least that was my excuse.