July 13, 2019. Western Head, Nova Scotia. Visiting Bernie.

Bernard Bowles is an artist who lives at Hunt's Point. In addition to his paintings, he also makes clever crafts made of all kinds of recycled material. He is creative and is always creating something or other. Last summer Ken and I visited him one late morning for a cup of tea. Bernie serves you tea using a beautiful china tea pot with matching mugs. It was elegant and pleasant. While we were there discussing Ken's health, he mentioned that he hoped that all his body parts would quit at the same time. We all laughed. This Tuesday Anna took me to visit Bernie at the Rehabilitation Wing of The Fisherman's Memorial hospital in Lunenburg. He did not get his wish. This Spring, Bernie suffered a series of small strokes. He was living by himself but his e mails began to be garbled. In early May he had a large and serious stroke so was admitted to the Liverpool Hospital. His left side is impacted so he struggles to walk and his left arm is useless. Unfortunately he is left handed. He is used to be a busy person. Now he can neither paint nor make crafts. Nor can he work in his yard and garden. He is stuck. Gill has been visiting Bernie every week on her way from volunteering at thew Horse Farm. Bernie has appreciated her visit. And Tuesday he was delighted to see me and to meet Anna. The real question is where will he go next? Queens County Manor on Liverpool has a long waiting list. He can only afford seven months at a private nursing home in Yarmouth. He has a few hundred paintings that could be sold along with his crafts. And his house could be sold. But houses do not sell quickly in small towns in Nova Scotia. He has no children. Fortunately, Randy, a friend from Yarmouth is helping. We had a good visit with him. But twice he wept over his situation. We tried to cheer him up, and he certainly appreciated our visit. He does not have a good situation. But I was glad to see him and he was pleased to see me.