July 31, 2018. Western Head, Nova Scotia. Mary and Clifton.

Last evening, Mary and Cliffie came to dinner to visit with us and to see Dave and Irene. Our dinner was pleasant as often happens with old friends. Ken and I have been friends with Mary and Clif since 1971. We went down the Grand Canyon together in little wooden dories and we travelled to Alaska together with Wendy and Clausen. And for years we spent a week at Nags Head the last week of May along with the children. They are good friends so dinner together was delightful. And as Dave and Irene have visited us every year in Nova Scotia they are friends too. Nothing like spending time with old friends. We differ politically so we do not discuss politics. In fact we are different in many ways. But we are friends. We have watched their children grow up and thrive so every time we see them we must catch up with their boys and grandchildren. Perhaps that is what binds us together. We love them dearly. When the four families bought and built homes next to us eighteen years ago, Mary commented that what we are doing is putting us in a place where every summer we will watch each other die. We all laughed and agreed. But decided that there are worse things than being with friends as we ebb away. But we are all enjoying ourselves and each other at Western Head. Last nights dinner was a perfect example.