July 31, 2016. Western Head, Nova Scotia. The Grandson.

The first thing he did when he entered our house was to ask if he could go down by the rocks.  Permission was granted.  After exploring the grass and the lower deck, he returned to the house and ask if he was permitted to go onto the rocks beside the grass area.  Permission was granted.  From then on,  the grandson became a beachcomber.   Every minute he was not required to be in the house for meals, he was down on the rocks.  It was a perfect spot for a busy 12 year old to explore.

When the tide was low he investigated the tidal pools and found all sorts of creatures.  He brought drift wood  back to the fire pit.    After breakfast he convinced his sister and grandparents to go for a walk along the cobble beach, a walk that was easy for him but difficult for everyone else.  He skipped across the rocks as if it was a highway.   He ran across the rocks and only fell once.    All four of them walked the whole length of the beach.  Three came home along the road while the grandson arrived home before the others.   He is clearly very bright and interested in the natural world around him.   Ken and I enjoyed his pleasure in his explorations and we were pleased he had come to visit us at Western Head.  Our friends Cathy and Ted and grandchildren are staying for only two days but their grandson has made the most of his time here.   It was a pleasure having the four of them for the visit.

July 30, 2016. Western Head, N.S. Pat and Mal.

Just as Pat and Mal were leaving the house to get into the car to leave for the airport,  I joked to Mal that just that morning I had walked into an upstairs bathroom and the light would not go on.  I commented that I should have gone into the bathroom yesterday when Mal could change the bulb.  Mal stopped,  looked at me and said, "What bathroom?"   He immediately went upstairs, took up the stepladder and replaced the bulb, all in the space of five minutes.  His task was complete.

The first thing Mal does upon arrival is to check all the lights and replace those that are burned out.  Ken and I can no longer change our own bulbs so he helps us out.  This year,  our Mississippi family and friends changed several burned out bulbs so Mal did not have many lights to replace, but he found a few.

In addition to the lights, Pat and Mal help in the kitchen.  Pat cleaned the sink every night and every morning Mal made the coffee and unloaded the dishwasher.  They are wonderful guests.  When they finally drove off after the one last task, I told Mal he was just like the coffee:  :Good to the last drop".

July 29, 2016. Western Head, Nova Scotia. The Quarterdeck.

The old Quarterdeck restaurant has been demolished.  It is gone.   Yesterday we ate lunch in the brand new gleaming white delightful new Quarterdeck restaurant.  The outside is not charming but when you walk in,  all you can see is the sea.  There are no bad seats in the house.  The place is double the old place with tables on the outside deck too.  When we were there,  several patrons were taking lunch outside, even though the sun was bright.  An added bonus is the second floor, with additional space for banquets and special events.

The food was excellent.  Their lunch menu had 4 appetizer options and 6 for the main course.   Our 6 people ordered 4 of the main selections.  Everyone was happy.

The old Quarterdeck was small and funky with pictures on the walls and things hanging from the ceiling.  The new Quarterdeck is modern and sleek.  Everything is white except for the tables which are maple.  Pat and Mal took us for lunch, just to check out the new place.  We all approved and were grateful!!

July 28, 2016. Western Head, Nova Scotia. The System.

The system works beautifully.  I can brag because it was not my idea.   Every afternoon between 4 and 5 o'clock, a car drives into our driveway carrying our dinner.  Faye brings the food into the kitchen and leaves the items to be heated sitting on top of a cold stove while the food needing refrigeration she puts into the garage fridge.  She leaves a menu along with instructions alongside the food.  She leaves the food whether or not we are home.

When we are ready to eat, we follow her instructions.   The food we set out on the kitchen table for everyone to help themselves.    I serve the dessert.  After dinner, all we need to do is to put away the extra food, load the dishwasher and wash the dishes and equipment belonging to the Riverbank.  Faye picks up the clean dishes in the garage when she brings the new batch of food.

David contracted with the Riverbank last summer and we continued the catering when Dave and Irene were here.  Irene commented that it see like we were all on vacation when no one cooked.  And she was right.  This year I again ordered the  catering so from when we arrived on July 13 until August 1st, the food has been arriving, except for Saturday and Sunday when we fend for ourselves.  All I do is write a cheque.  My freezers are full with left over food so I suspect we can eat out of the freezers until we leave in October.  Getting old has it's own rewards.  This catering system is wonderful.

July 27, 2016. Western Head, Nova Scotia. The Gull Bay Group.

We were friends in Bethesda, Maryland in the early 70's when our children were small.  We have been friends ever since, even though we live in different locations.   Four of those families have built homes in Nova Scotia, on Gull Bay.  We call ourselves the Gull Bay Group, or the Dwems, after our last names initials.   We are our own party and in addition, we help each other out with accommodation when our homes get full.

For instance, when Ken and I arrived, the three older girls went to stay with Gill, using her upstairs bedrooms because we had run out of space.  Last summer, Randy and Gaby and their girls stayed in the Ely's guest house, called The Baby Bog because we had a full house.   And on Sunday, Mary and Clif will move into our Guest House as their house will be full with family.  We help each other out when our homes are full.  Living close to good friends is a great pleasure but it also has it's practical side.  Pat and Mal were going to stay in the upstairs bedrooms of Mary and Cliff this year when we again were full.  We all extend our homes to each other to help out.   Living close to good friends definitely has many advantages.

July 26, 2016. Western Head, Nova Scotia. The Weather.

The good folks in Liverpool think it is hot at 80 degrees.  When you go into town, the terrible heat is the main topic of conversation.  They also know that those lucky folks who live at Western Head will be cool.  When they hear we live there, they comment on how lucky we are to be avoiding the heat.  We always have a breeze from the Atlantic Ocean so on the hottest day we can sit on the deck and be comfortable.   Of course, in the winter the Western Head folks are cooler so many people in town will not live there as it is too cold in the winter.  Bu the summers are heaven.

At night we keep the windows open so when the temperatures drop to 55, we get cool and snuggle up under our blankets.  Eventually Ken closes the windows in the middle of the night so by morning the bedroom is comfortable.  We can always hear the sound of the sea from the house too.  Right now our friends Pat and Mal are here from Ontario, where the temperatures are in the 90's.  They are delighted to be here in the 75 degrees at the shore.

We chose to live in Liverpool because of the charm,  the weather, and the people.  We did not make a mistake.  Living here in the summer is pure pleasure.

July 25, 2016. Western Head, Nova Scotia. Television Sports.

Every so often I stumble on a remarkable and exciting sporting event.  On Saturday evening after returning from The Readers' Festival, I turned on the TV to watch a few minutes of the game between Hamilton and Edmonton of the Canadian Football League.   The score was 31 to 6 for Edmonton.  The game had just beginning the 4th quarter.   I thought the game was over and almost turned it off  but I decided to watch for one series.

Well, the quarterback for Hamilton went on a tear.  He threw pass after pass, all completed.  I watched in amazement.  Poor Edmonton could do nothing right.  Touchdown after touchdown by Hamilton.  Soon the score was 34 to 31 for Hamilton.  The quarterback completed 23 passes in the same game and all in a row, which was a record for the Canadian Football League.  The final score was 40 to 31 for Hamilton.  

I always wonder how these extraordinary things occur.  Was the play calling extra good?  Did the receivers try just a bit harder to hold onto the ball?  I have no clue.  But I do know it was fun watching this string of completed passes.  And especially good because Hamilton won.

July 24, 2016. Western Head, Nova Scotia. A Thrill.

Down our driveway drove a car, a car I had not seen for a long time.  I had just walked over to the workshop, where Ken was puttering with some tools.  The big door was wide open, just like a garage.    But I did not get the opportunity to tell him what I wanted because out of the car got our good friends, Walt and Mary MacDonald.   What a thrill for both Ken and me!   We four sat and chatted for ten minutes while Walt took in the beauty of the view.  Then they were off home so Walt could take a short rest.

Walt came home from the hospital late Thursday night.  I gave him a day to recover and Saturday was his day for dialysis, but today was the day I was intending to visit.  I was just about to tell Ken that I was leaving when they arrived.  Walt looked good, considering that he had been in the hospital for over 15 weeks and lost lots of weight.  He is weak but he could get in and out of the car and up out of the chair.  And most importantly, he is just as interested as ever in the world around him.  We were thrilled and surprised to see him driving down our driveway.  We were also as pleased as punch!!

July 23, 2016. Western Head, Nova Scotia. The Readers' Festival.

Joan Clark was the featured author at The Port Medway Readers' Festival.   This festival always astonishes me.  Port Medway is a tiny town, yet they entice world class authors to come to this festival.  Joan Clark is a well known Canadian author.  Tonight she read from her latest book "A Birthday Lunch".   The format of the evening is always the same.  After a brief introduction, the author speaks about the book, then reads from her work, explaining what is happening along the way.   The Question and Answer period is always lively.  

After an hour with the author,  everyone heads down the street to the Port Medway Fire Hall, where a light lunch is set out.  The author sits at a table while people buy her books which she is happy to autograph.   And everyone chats and is friendly.  The evening was pleasant.   The act of thinking up and then implementing the writing of a piece of fiction always impresses me so being able to hear from Joan how her books are written was fascinating.  On August 20, Calvin Trillin will be the featured writer.  I will be there.

July 22, 2016. Western Head, Nova Scotia. Departures.

Tomorrow morning at 6:00, Christina, Kate, Mary Frances and Molly board a plane in Halifax for New York.  As it is a 2 hour drive to the airport and they must arrive early, I suggested they stay overnight at the airport hotel, so this afternoon they were picked up by Mr. G. to drive them today, where at least they will have a decent night's sleep before walking to check in and board their first flight.  Getting home to Jackson is not easy.  After New York, they fly to Atlanta, then finally on to Jackson, where they expect to arrive at 9:30pm.  It will be a long day.

We will miss them here in Nova Scotia.  The girls have been helpful to us in many different ways, from assisting Ken with his chores and helping me in the kitchen.  Tonight was the first night we had a rude awakening when no girl was here to clear the table.  But the most pleasant aspect of their stay here was their enthusiasm and willingness to help.   They were a pleasure to live for the past ten days.  And if they were not helping us they were reading or drawing or playing games.

Only once did Christina and I wept sitting on the deck when I mentioned how much we all missed Andrew's presence here in Nova Scotia.  He was such wonderful company.  But we quickly recovered.

 Now Ken and I will miss Christina and the girls in Nova Scotia.  But we are grateful they came although departures always are difficult.  We will see them soon in November in Mississippi.

July 21, 2016. Western Head, N.S. Our Well.

Our well in the old house is a bit magical.   The well was dug well over one hundred years ago.  It is only 12 feet deep yet it provides us with wonderful, sweet water.  The water seeps into the walls of the well and if the water in the well is low, by morning it is full.  It is magic.

However, this Spring has been dry as has this summer, so everyone with a dug well is short of water, including us.  Before we arrived, Christina texted us about the lack of water in the taps.  By the morning the water was fine but after the plumber cleaned the filter and checked the system and the water once again stopped running, we knew it was the well.  Fortunately we have a 300 foot drilled well at the Guest House so we filled our old well by running a hose from the Guest House to our well.  Problem solved at least for the moment.  Christina asked the 2 boys to shower in the work shop bathroom.  She has become an expert at preserving water.

Late this afternoon Ken cleaned the filters from the hot tub and he filled the pond.  I did 2 loads of laundry.  When the girls were hand washing the bowls after dinner, the water stopped running.  The timing was perfect.  Christina knows the system so she quickly ran water from the Guest House to our well.  By morning, we will run the dish washer and we will be restored with our water supply.  It is magical....when it works.  But we must be more careful, at least until we get some rain.

July 20, 2016. Western Head, N.S. The Day at the Cottage.

The day was perfectly ordinary, but very pleasant too.   We did nothing extraordinary at the cottage and we enjoyed every minute, chatting while sitting on the deck or at the dock.  Christina and the girls drove the truck while Ken and I drove with Pat and Mal who had just arrived on Wednesday afternoon.  Molly was the only one to swim.  The day was sunny but windy so was not appealing to get into the lake,  at least to everyone except Molly.

The lake was free of boats.  We saw lots of ducks and ducklings and we heard the sound of the loons. It was worth going to the cottage just to hear the sound of the loons.   Every time we go the the cottage  after an absence of a long time we are pleased we own it.  The cottage is tiny but charming.  Pat made the bed so when we have no company, Ken and I will stay overnight and enjoy the evenings.

Today we left at 4:00.  Mary, Cliff and Gill were coming to dinner at the Ocean House so we needed to get ready.  But we will return to the cottage very soon.

July 19, 2016. Western Head, Nova Scotia. The Game.

Christina, Kate, Mary Frances and Molly were playing a game on the living room coffee table.  Ken and I were watching.  The game played was Liar.  The game is fun for the sophisticated as well as the naive and we were all having lots of fun.  Our dinner time was late so after chatting a bit in the living room and playing the game, the evening was late.

The good part of the game is that the rounds go quickly.  Well into the game, Christina won a round.  When 8 year old Molly discovered that Christina had won, she said, " Well dammit".   For 5 seconds, all was quiet as this is not a swearing family,  but I looked across the table at Kate and we could not contain our giggles.  Soon we were were all laughing uproariously, including Molly.   But soon Molly figured out that we were laughing at her and her laughter turned to tears.  Even when Christina took Molly to explain to Molly why we were laughing we kept laughing.  Molly's comment was totally appropriate , but how did she learn this language?  It was very funny.  The game ended and Molly went to bed as did the rest of us.  You just do not know what comes out of the mouths of babes.

July 18, 2016. Western Head, Nova Scotia. Our Main Street.

Always at the beginning and the end of our time here I walk the main street.  First I walk along one side, going into every business that looks interesting, then I cross the street to the other side and do the same thing.  I like to know what is happening in the downtown of my town.    The main street is a perfect length.  45 minutes it took today for Molly, Christina and I to walk the whole length,  which included shopping in a gift shop and the drug store.

Always stores have closed or changed hands.   Gone is our bakery and the Country Junction.  A discount store is opening where a department store used to be.  But we have a new restaurant on the main street and Oscars is still there, although I have been told he is moving to Vancouver soon.  

After our walk, we three stopped at Oscars for tea.   His place is charming.  It is a combination of gift store, florists shop and restaurant.  Antique chairs and tables are scattered around the store amidst the gifts for sale.   Oscar opened his place in the spring of 2015.  He assures me that the place will continue to stay open when he moves.  I hope he is right.  We three agreed it is a good addition to our downtown main street.  My date square was delicious.   Walking the whole main street in Fredericksburg on both sides from one end the the other would take two hours.  But in Liverpool,  I can walk from one end of town to the other on both sides of the street in under an hour, and end up for our treat of a goodie and a cup of tea.  This main street is the perfect size.

July 17, 2016. Western Head, Nova Scotia. The Last Tea Time.

The ladies of the house sat around the kitchen table and drank our last cup of tea.  Eleanor and the children were leaving this afternoon for Yarmouth, where they take the ferry tomorrow to Portland so everyone was feeling a bit sad to be saying goodbye.  The teenagers were upstairs talking.  The young ones, Molly and Isabell, joined us for tea and goodies.   Godfrey, who is 16,  came down to bring his case to the car and asked when they were leaving.   At that time it was 4:10.   Eleanor said in about an hour.   He wanted to know the specific time so she said "How about five o'clock?"

He objected and responded to say that she had said they would leave at 6:00 and he was not prepared to leave at 5:00.   Eleanor, his mother,  asked if he was not ready with his belongings packed and ready.   "My case and backpack are both in the car," said Godfrey,  "but you told me we were leaving at 6:00  and I was prepared for 6:00 and now you want me to leave at 5:00.  It is too soon."    "You mean you are not mentally ready to leave at 5:00", asked Eleanor.  "Yes," said Godfrey.  "Could we please leave in an hour."   Eleanor agreed with the compromise.  

Christina, Eleanor and I continued enjoying our afternoon tea and we discussed the difficulties of taking leave from a pleasurable two weeks.   The Sutherland family leave now for Niagara Falls and then Chicago so good things are in store on the continuation of their epic journey.  Jim will join them in Chicago and together wend their way home to Mississippi but the four children and Eleanor enjoyed their relaxed visit to Western Head and no one was prepared to leave any sooner than necessary.     Certainly, the 5 teenagers had more talking to do.  The ladies prepared to leave by drinking one last cup of tea., which we enjoyed.  The tea ceremony started our goodbyes.

July 16, 2016. Western Head, Nova Scotia. A Coming and Going Party.

Tonight we had a party, the first of the season.  The purpose of the celebration was to say good bye to the Sutherland Family and to welcome us for the summer season.   Ken and I were delighted to see our friends especially as last summer I kept myself isolated.  But now I am healthy which is certainly worth celebrating.   I always think that parties are best if some guests are new.  This was true tonight. Four people were here who had moved to Western Head recently and one couple were visiting a friend of ours.  This always makes for lively conversation.

The teenagers were a big help setting up for the party.  They moved chairs, iced the beer and helped set up the bar.  And when the party was over they helped again.  Between the caterer and the kids, the house and kitchen were in perfect order within 15 minutes.  The kids were a major asset.

Gill actually invited the guests.  I was not yet in Nova Scotia so Gill became the social secretary.  She took her task seriously and did a good job.  On Thursday, we had a discussion about the food.  I said we were having no appetizers.  Gill was adamant in her advocating for appetizers.  She was right.  I talked with Faye the caterer and appetizers were served:  scallops and stuffed mushrooms which were delicious.  Gill won the argument.  The appetizers were a hit.

Having a caterer handle the food at a party is a great blessing.   I can spend my time talking to the guests rather than cooking or serving.   And when the party has ended the kitchen was clean.   Ken and I were pleased to see our Nova Scotia friends once again.  Having a party is a perfect opportunity to get them all together.  Now we look forward to the rest of the summer.

July 15, 2016. Western Head, Nova Scotia. The Hot Tub.

The girls aged 7and 8 always get in the hot tub after a trip to the beach.   They have had a wonderful time visiting the different beaches in the area, swimming and collecting shells.   This afternoon, our group go 9 went to what we call The Sand Dollar Beach because they always find sand dollars at that location.  The white sand beach is located in Southwest Port Mouton.  Access to the beach is difficult so mostly you have the half mile beach to yourself.   Actually, the place has no official name but no name or not, the place is beautiful.

The afternoon was sunny and warm and the children young and old spent lots of time in the chilly water.  By the time they all returned, the teenagers headed to the showers while the little girls jumped into the hot tub.  They loved it.  By now it is a ritual.  First the beach and swimming, then the hot tub.    Now Ken and I are delighted we decided to get another hot tub in Nova Scotia.  Last summer when we had the old hot tub removed we almost covered the area with decking.  Ken over ruled me and we installed a new smaller unit.  Now we are pleased with our decision.  And sooner or later we will get in ourselves.

July 14, 2016. Western Head, Nova Scotia. Delightful Dinners.

Every evening, Faye from the River Bend Restaurant brings us dinner and leaves the food on the kitchen table along with written instructions.   Christina is in charge of following the instructions and when heated, sets out the food on the kitchen table for the rest of us to help ourselves.  Prior to that, the kids have already set the table and filled the water glasses.  We sit around the long table and enjoy the delicious food that no one has needed to cook.  This makes for delightful long dinners.

We eat wonderful salads and delicious desserts along with the main course which are wonderful.  Tonight at dinner, Isabel, who is 7, was having no salad.  Her Mother Eleanor noted no salad so told Isabel that not eating salad was fine, but she would not be able to have dessert if she was too full for salad.  Isabel asked what we were having for dessert so I suggested she look at the dessert in the kitchen.  She returned to the table and promptly asked for salad.  We all roared.  And yes, the dessert was wonderful,  worth eating the caesar salad.  

David found the caterer last summer.  We are still grateful for him now.  Not having to prepare meals is a great blessing to all of us living in this home.

July 13, 2016. Western Head, Nova Scotia. The Ocean House.

Nothing prepares you for your arrival at the Ocean House.   We have come here many times but we are still surprised at it's charm.   After an early morning flight and a two hour drive from Halifax we were weary but the moment we came into the house and looked out at sea our energies were restored.  Of course, it helps to have a loving daughter in law and three helpful grandchildren to greet us and look after our every needs.

The air was a warm 78 with the sea calm.  We took our afternoon tea sitting on the deck, enjoying the clean air, the wonderful weather and each other, which is the best gift of all.  Ken and I are delighted to be at our ocean home in Nova Scotia and to be enjoying our family and our friends, the Sutherlands from Mississippi.  We feel very fortunate to be here amidst a beautiful setting and with loving family and friends.    Life does not get much better than this.

July 12, 2016. Newark, New Jersey. The Easy Way.

Now that we are old, we  are finding easier ways to get things done.  When we lived in Maryland, we drove to Nova Scotia for the summer.   When I retired, we stayed a few weeks at the farm after we drove from Texas.  But when we sold the farm, we began flying.  Now we make life even easier when we fly to Newark and stay overnight at the Airport Marriott Hotel.  The shuttle picks us up at the airport and after checking into our room at 1:00, we immediately have a snack at the concierge level before taking a lovely long nap.

After reading a bit, we return to the concierge lounge for dinner.  Their appetizers are ample for our dinner.   Our room is lovely, overlooking the airport.  Tomorrow we will continue our journey to Nova Scotia where Mr. Gaskell will pick us up at 11:30, well rested and ready for the summer.  It has taken us a while to get smart and make our lives easier but this journey gives us a lovely small break in Newark.  This is the second year in a row we have used this drill.  We have decided that the plan is good.

July 11, 2016. San Antonio, Texas. A Wonderful Day.

First the errands.  People are polite and friendly in Texas so getting our errands done was a breeze.  The store that looks after sending packages was close by and the bank was 5 minutes north on 281.  The folks in both businesses were competent and pleasant so we were quickly finished.

Next was lunch with the girls and Suzanne at their home.  Ken came back to the motel while the girls and Suzanne came with me to get pedicures.  It was a treat for all.  Poor Sarah was working so could not join us.  She is working s a nanny for three children.  Tomorrow is her last day.  She is ready to be finished.

The rest of the afternoon I was lazy, reading and snoozing while Suzanne took the girls on two appointments.  Allison and Samantha were ready for the next tightening of their braces while Sarah after work saw the Ophthalmologist.  All is well with her eyes.

The best part of the day was the family dinner.  Suzanne has become an excellent cook and tonight was no exception.   Poor Samantha is feeling left out because I have given a set of china to the older girls but not to the twins or Molly.  By then I had decided it was a bad idea.  The conversation was lively.  We all joined together in the living room as we were leaving for Nova Scotia and they leave for Seattle by car on Wednesday.  We will not see them until October.  I am sure that Suzanne asked the girls to join us in the living room after dinner and I appreciated their efforts.  The girls are lively and spontaneous and we enjoyed the conversation.  The girls want to Ken to change his picture on Facebook.  It was hilarious, a perfect end to a wonderful day.

July 10, 2016. San Antonio, Texas. The Olympic Trials.

For the past few weeks we have enjoyed watching the young people compete for a position on the American Olympic team.   To be honest, I enjoyed watching while Ken indulged me and sometimes watched with me.  The gymnastics got me interested a month ago at the P.&G. national championship followed the next weekend by the men's Olympic Gymnastic trials where they named the 5 gymnasts who will compete in Rio.   The choices made were difficult but goodness but those young men are strong.

Next was the diving contests where after each event the top two divers are chosen for the team.  The whole thing is cut throat and emotional.  The swimming came next.  It swimming, the team is chosen solely by the speeds.  If you win the final or come in second, you are going to swim in the Olympics, which seems fair.    And I have seen several days of track and field competition from Eugene, where the teams are chosen by the speeds.  If you don't win or come in second or third in the final you are not on the team at Rio in August even if you are the world champion.  Many tears shed by those who did not win a spot on the team.

Tonight took the cake.  We watched the final night of the women's gymnastic trials and we watched with the four girls and David and Suzanne at their home.   The girls remembered some of the gymnasts from the last Olympics so of course they cheered for their favorites.  It was great sport, living and dying with each fall.   We had a lot of fun.  Now we can't wait for the Olympics to watch those same five girls shine.

July 9, 2016. Canyon Lake, Texas. Success.

All tasks have been accomplished.  The hot tub has been removed.  In addition, a carpenter put the railing around the space so it is safe and good looking.  And we have hired a new man to maintain the yard.  Everything on our list has been checked off.  David and Suzanne will be pleased.

Our neighbor gave us cards from three people who look after yards.   I started phoning.  One young lady said that Brandon would come to give us an estimate either today or tomorrow and he would call before he was coming.    Within 3 hours, Brandon called to see if he could come in half an hour.  He also sounded pleasant on the phone.  Turns out the ladies voice was his wife.   Both Ken and I liked him.   After touring the yard and asking us lots of questions, he gave us a price and we agreed how he would be paid and when.  We hired him to come once a month.

Another man, Keith,  was coming to give us an estimate but he could not come until Monday.  Also he looks after 300 yards in Canyon Lake and it is my guess that he is over extended.   After we hired Brandon I cancelled Keith's appointment which he was disappointed because he tends to our neighbors yard.

Just before Brandon left, he asked if we wanted him to remove the hot tub.  His price was less than the hot tub company.  We had told him of our difficulties.   Not only could he remove the hot tub but he also had a carpenter who could make needed repairs.  They started at 8:00 today, all 5 of them,  and by 4:00 the job was done.  Some days you just get lucky.

July 8, 2016. Canyon Lake, Texas. The Weather.

Temperature is relative.  We have been in Texas long enough to feel chilly when the temperature gets to 75 degrees which it does at 6:00 in the morning.   The rest of the day we stay indoors.   Tonight before dinner I sat on the deck.  I could hear the wind from inside the house so I thought it would be pleasant but when I opened the door to go outside I was met with a blast furnace.   Even at 6:30, the temperature was 90.   The wind was blowing hard but even the breezes did not make me comfortable so after 15 minutes I came back inside.

Ken and I talk about getting up early and walking but I do not wish to get up early.  We both spent all our working days getting up at 6:00.  One of the pleasures of being retired is to get up when you awaken and not be beholden to the alarm clock so we resist the early walks.  Instead we go to the hardware store and walk around the large air conditioned building.  Or we walk around the house and up and down the stairs.  I don't know how they do it, but the workmen work outside in this hot weather without batting an eye.  The work must go on even though every day the temperature gets to be 99 or 100 degrees.   But it is the summer and it is Texas so what can we expect.  To survive we just stay indoors.

July 7, 2016. Canyon Lake, Texas. Our Tasks.

Ken and I do best with projects.  This week, our tasks were to get trees trimmed, have the hot tub removed and find someone to maintain the yard.  So far, only one task has been accomplished.  But I have faith.

The man who cleaned up the yard when we first arrived assured us he would remove the hot tub but he did not do it although he said he would be here on Tuesday morning with his crew.  His intention was to use the hot tub for himself.  When I phoned him he once again, he said he would be here first thing Thursday morning but again he did not appear. Finally he admitted that it was too heavy.  Now I have contacted the hot tub company to remove the tub.  So far the workman has not called me back.  Bu we are not worried as the work can be done after we leave.  The next time we come in October I feel sure the hot tub will be gone.  If no one else will remove it, our tree man will bring his crew with chain saws and remove it piece by piece.

Yard maintenance will be more difficult.  I have asked two companies to come by for an estimate.  The difficulty is that we have no grass so we really only need trimming every month or so.  One of the companies works for our neighbors Tim and Sharon so perhaps they would want the job.  Both have assured me they will get back to me with an estimate.  So far, no response.  One company has 300 homes in Canyon Lake to look after.  He is the one who manages our neighbors yard so we hope he will look after us too.  David would be pleased to have all three tasks completed and we will too.  We like to check off those tasks on our list of projects.

July 6, 2016. Canyon Lake, Texas. Compton Tree Experts.

Twelve Years ago, our good neighbor Tim had a conversation with Ken about a tree that was on our property but dropped stuff over their property too.  He was not complaining but he did comment that he would not mind if it was cut down.  Tim had just come home from work.  After consulting with David and Suzanne, we decided to cut the tree down, which was too close to the house anyway.  When Tim came home from work the next day, the tree was gone.  He was stunned and still laughs about it.

Ken had found Compton Tree Experts.  By 8:00 we were talking to Kevin on the phone and by 9:00 he and his crew were busily working.  By noon the tree was gone.  We were pleased all those years ago.

The other evening, David, Ken and I were sitting on the deck complaining about the trees in the back yard which were getting in the way of our water views.   Some trees needed trimming while some just needed to be cut down.  Yesterday we called Compton Tree Experts and this morning at 8:00 we heard the chain saws.  By 1:00 the job was done.  Kevin, the owner, remembered working for us years ago and we remembered him too.    Now the back yard looks just as a back yard should look.  I think David and Suzanne will be pleased.  Ken and I are delighted with the expertise and energy of the Compton Tree Experts.  Even in 100 degree heat, they got the job done.

July 5, 2016. Canyon Lake, Texas. The Wasps Nest.

Saturday late morning I walked down to watch the action at the lake.  We have a partial cover from the sun and David set two chairs under the cover, so with a bottle of water, sunscreen and bug spray, I was set to observe the action.  The way down is a wooden path with rails on both sides.  As it is uneven, I always hold on to both railings.   Today that was a bad idea because just near the bottom, on the other side of the rail, I grabbed a wasp nest.  They stung my little finger several times.  David went for liquid benedril for me and wasp spray for the nest and soon all was back to normal.

The wasp stings hurt but I did laugh.  By nature, I am not superstitious but last week I had two sets of bites so I just knew a third one was on the way and I was right.   Not only do I still have the red spots from the chigger bites and the blisters of the fire ants but also I have a big red mark at the base of my little finger on my left hand.  I look like a wounded warrior.  Now that I have the three sets of bites, I am clear of any more for the next ten years.  I have done my duty.

July 4, 2016. Canyon Lake, Texas. The Weekend of the 4th.

There is now only one boat on the lake.  The house is strangely quiet.  Everyone has gone home.  But we have had a wonderful July the 4th Holiday weekend at the lake with David and Suzanne, the granddaughters and four of their girl friends from school.   Ken and I hung out at home while the girl and David and Suzanne were busy.  They swam and they drove the jet skis and they went on the Giddens boat for tubing.  David and Suzanne took out kayaks and later Suzanne joined the girls on the boat.  It was a wonderfully active day at the lake.

Last evening, friends came for a pot luck supper.  Everyone brought meat to grill and something to share.  And we watched the impressive fireworks display in our cove together, with all the kids watching from the edge of the water.   Last but not least, we ate ice cream smothered with the fresh peaches from Stonewall.  Just hanging out together at the lake is a pleasure, but when you have 8 teenaged girls as well it is a special delight just listening to their conversations.  The girls are all polite, energetic and helpful.  They assisted Suzanne whenever they were asked.   The friends of Sarah's have been together at school since the 6th grade.  Now they will be heading to a different University starting August.

Our lake house is quiet with no girls and no dogs and no Suzanne and David to look after our needs.  But we enjoyed every minute with them over the July the 4th Holiday weekend at the lake.

July 3, 2016. Canyon Lake, Texas. A Fireworks Display.

Boats started arriving at 5:00.   When the sun went down and dark descended, there must have been 200 hundred boats in Turkey Cove, all waiting for the fireworks display.   Boats were rafted and boats were anchored.  In the dark the scene was pretty.  And then the fireworks began.

This fireworks display was private.  The man six doors down from us has putting on a fireworks display for years.  Every year is bigger and better.  No advertising.  No announcements.  All word of mouth.  It was the most impressive fireworks display we have ever seen.   This year, he began electronic ignition so he had 8 tables set up along the shore with a console and a desk so he could ignite the rockets by remote.  Very fancy.  By the time it was over, which lasted almost an hour,  we were ready for it to be over, but it was very impressive.  And it all occurred in Turkey Cove.

July 2, 2016. Canyon Lake, Texas. A Red Letter Day.

Today was the first time that Samantha and Allison drove the jet skis all by themselves.   They finally took the on line course and passed the test to get their license to drive a boat, jet ski or sail boat.  Up until now, they have been riding behind some one else on the jet sky.  But now they are 14 so they are legal to drive all by themselves.   This morning they were both excited and anxious to be totally on their own on the jet skis.

David went with the girls to launch the little boats at the ramp just down the road.  Their first task was to drive to the marina and get gas.   Evidently they did not know how to operate the gas pump so was forced to ask for help.  They said it was obvious they had never done it before.   The girls had a friend Grace visiting for the weekend so the three girls spent all morning zooming around the lake, having a wonderful time.  After a hearty lunch at home they were back at it.   Finally, Suzanne and Allison went out together for one last time.  Tomorrow, Sarah and Abigail and two more friends will be here and they will want to have a chance on the jet skis.  Today was their day in the sun.   The game warden even stopped them, checking for licenses.   Samantha proudly produced her paperwork, pleased to be on the right side of the law.

Today was a red letter day for Allison and Samantha as they continue on their road to independence.  They passed with flying colors.

July 1, 2016. Canyon Lake, Texas. Fire Ants.

Fire ants are tiny but they bite.  They live in the ground and if you are not careful, you will step on their ant hill.  When that happens, millions of these tiny red ants attack you and bite you which seems reasonable when you have stepped on their home.   When you live in Texas you are careful to never step on a fire ant home and when you see a nest being built, you stop them from living in your yard.

This morning, I was outside the CVS Pharmacy waiting for Ken to come out.  I had completed by tasks so decided to get out of the air conditioning.   While I was waiting I began my leg exercises standing beside the truck which was directly beside a grass area.  I stepped back onto the grass,  right in the center of a fire ant nest.  Within seconds, I had thousands of red ants on my foot and on my shoe.  Immediately they began biting.  Quickly I took off my Teva and rubbed off the ants but the damage was done.  Now not only do I itch from my chigger bites but also my right foot is full of small blisters made by the fire ants, which also itches.   It never rains but it pours.