July 31, 2021. Western Head, Nova Scotia. Briar Island.

If you want to see whales, Briar Island is the best place to go in Nova Scotia. Whale watching trips also can be taken in Lunenburg but their trips are not as dependable at seeing whales. Gill and three friends drove to Briar Island this week. They drove down Tuesday and returned Thursday afternoon. This afternoon, Gill gave me a report. First you must get there. I love the drive to Briar Island but some folks have told me that the drive is boring. I think it is charming. From my house you must drive on Highway 8 and get to Digby, on the other side of the province on the Bay of Fundy, the bay of the high tides. Then you must drive down the Digby Spit to the very end. You are driving down a series of islands, some with bridges and some with ferry boats. So you must be patient and wait for the ferry to arrive. Ken and I have taken the drive twice and enjoyed it both times. When you get to Briar Island you will find a funky little towm. There is not much there but a restaurant or two and a couple of motels and B&B's. And of course, you will find the office for boat trips for whale watching. Gill reported only positive things about their trip. The weather was excellent and they saw many whales., all humpbacks. They stayed at the best place in town which Gill reported was merely adequate. Briar Island is also a fishing town so they ate fresh fish and scallops in the restaurant. Her group was pleased with their visit to Briar Island, that funky little town from the past.

July 30, 2021. Western Head, Nova Scotia. Main Street Liverpool.

At least once every season I walk the whole street. The length is perfect. And I go into every store. Today I was on a mission. I wanted to go Christmas shopping for goods produced in Nova Scotia. Anna and I had a good time. In addition to shopping and exploring, I got to get in my walking for the day. Today was a perfect day for shopping because it rained most of the night and morning so most people would not have selected today as a good shopping day. But Anna and I own rain coats so we were eager to head our and start shopping. We parked on the lowere parking area so after a visit to the bank we walked up the hill to Main Street. The first thing we bought was bread which Anna took immediately to the truck while I visited with Andrew at Adja Gallery. He has survived Covid and is now busily painting. During our walk, I found three excellent stores. The first useful store was Pellian Cove, a gift shop attached to the pharmacy. I bought coasters and a pair of Nova Scotia mitts. Next was a place called South SHore. The store is wonderful and large. Everything in the store is made in Nova Scotia. It is a bit like going to the Mississippi Craft Center, but on a small scale. The last store I liked was a coffee shop that Anna and I intended to have a cup of coffee and a pastry but they ran out of pastries by 10:30 and we were there at 2:00. But they have a gift shop at the front where I found treasures. Our arms were laden down so we headed home. On the way to the truck we stopped at the consignment shop. I buy things every year so the owner recognizes me. I sit while the owner brings me things I might like. I bought 4 shirts and one dress. All for $30. We were home by 3:00. And that is why I love our Main Street. We walked the whole length of Main Street, ate lunch, shopped and yet got home mid afternoon. I do love Main Street Liverpool.

July 29, 2021. Western Head, Nova Scotia. "Let There Be Water."

Seth Siegel wrote this interesting book. I have been reading articles and hearing news clips about the success Israel had had with the problem on water. It has been a triumph. Now I can read all about everything that was accomplished. And it is a fascinating story, made up of many parts. Each technical breakthrough was complicated but the writer keeps it simple and easy to understand. I get the facts but not the boring details. If I want to learn more about specifics, such as reverse osmosis, I can look up the reference books in the back of the book. For me, I am enjoying the story and the people involved. This book was published in 2015 so new chapters need to be added. But it tells the story of how Israel has made the desert bloom. Half of Israel is desert and half is arid so it has been quite an impressive accomplishment. Now if the rest of the middle east would mimic their actions everyone would benefit. But they do not so most countries are short of water. They evidently refuse to learn from the Jews. For me, I was delighted to read the story. Every night when I come upstairs I read several chapters. And I get impressed all over again. It is quite a story and I am enjoying this book, "Let There Be Water".

July 28, 2021. Western Head, Nova Scotia. An Organ Recital.

A famous organist moved to Liverpool three years ago. He was semi retired from touring but still energetic. I know nothing about famous organists so paid no attention when he moved here. He bought an old church and installed his own pipe organ in the old church. And he refurbished the church. He intended to have concerts and recitals in the old church. He also takes students, some from all over the world. In addition he plays the bells just whever he feels like ringing the bells. Then Covid came to town, just when the work in the church had been completed. So no concerts or recitals in 2020 and 2021. Now he is holding the first concert on August 8, in the refurbished church. He posted the notice on line, announcing the concert. And it sold out within one hour. The church holds 125 people. Many town folks were dismayed not to be able to attend. So he agreed to hold a second evening, which also sold out immediately. The concerts will be held at 5:00 with donations taken at the door but no cost for the concert. Friend Karen was able to get tickets for the second day and she invited me along with Gill. I was thrilled. But after a few days I realized that I will nit be able to attend because of my compromized immune system. Too many people packed together is not a good situation for me. Tomorrow I must contact Karen and beg off. This will not be a problem because there is yet another list of people who wish to attend. Pretty nifty for Liverpool to have such a concert in our little town.

July 27, 2021. Western Head, Nova Scotia. Wonderful Wendy.

I was so pleased when Wonderful Wendy texted me to say that she and Ken were taking a car trip which will end up at Wentern Head with me. I was delighted. I had invited them earlier in the summer when I realized that friend Ken had never seen my Gull Bay home. But they spend all summer at the cottage in Muskoka so are reluctant to leave their beautiful spot. By the time the cottage is closed for the season, I have left for the south. But they surprised me by decideing to take a car trip during the summer. Now that the borders between the provinces have opened, they decided to take a trip. Wendy and Ken have visited with me in Mexico for several winters. We always have a good time. And they visited me in Mississippi one Spring. Actually it was still winter in Ontario. In Mississippi it was already Spring. Now they are coming to Nova Scotia but on the way they will see Quebec City, which is well worth a visit. They will stay in the Guest House. And I will enjoy their company. My cup runneth over.

July 26, 2021. Western Head, Nova Scotia. My Busy Sunday.

The first activity I did was watching the Olympics while eating breakfast. That was the beginning of a wonderful day for an old lady like me. Next up for me was being picked up by friend Frances at 11:30 to take me to lunch with her sister Vera, who was visiting from Winnipeg. We went to Lanes Privateer Inn. First we ordered decaf coffee. And we ordered brunch. And we talked and we waited for our food. Then we drank another cup of coffee. Then we talked and waited for our food. Finally Fran asked why our food was so slow arriving. The waitress admitted that the cook called in sick and the young man got behind. And she apologized. We three just laughed and agreed that we were enjoying our conversation anyway. Eventually we ate our delicious food. And the waitress brought us three pieces of coconut cream pie with no charge. Finally I was home at 3:30. But we had a good time, despite the wait. At 5:00, John and Nancy picked me up to take me to Sanda's house for dinner. Sandra is a good cook and I have enjoyed dinner at her home many times over the 22 years I have lived here. And I have always enjoyed the conversation with the four of us. We began the evening outside in the screen porch where we ate tasty appitizers and drank a glass of wine. Our dinner was served at the dining table where we ate onion pie which was unusual and tasty. Along with grilled baby carrots and picked beets I enjoyed dinner. For dessert we are fresh peaches and raspberries served with meranges and whipped ream. After more good conversation in the living room, John and Nancy brought me home. Now that was a special day for this old lady. I enjoyed every minute of my busy Sunday.

July 25, 2021. Western Head, Nova Scotia. Restaurants in Liverpool.

Liverpool is a small town. The whole County is about 10,000 people, and the town around 5,000. But we have several restaurants. This summer, Anna and I have the goal of having lunch in every restaurant in Liverpool and the surrounding area. It will be our game for the summer. We wrote the list last Friday. And we have already checked off The Quarterdeck and Tim Hortons. And we have 16 more to go. We will eat at all the fast food places along with the better places. But we intend to visit them all, both high and low. I am esily amused so having this list which is on the coffee table in the living room will bring me pleasure. And Anna too. As soon as we arrive home after lunch we immediately find the list so we can check off our latest eatery. Tomorrow after breakfast we plan to drive to Bridgewater to visit the Canadian Tire store where we will buy deck furtiture for the deck of the guest house. Then we intend to eat lunch at The Swiss Chalet. When we return we will immediately check that place off our list. And we will laugh. We are accomplishing our goal.

July 24, 2021. Western Head, Nova Scotia. The Olympics.

This 2020 Olympics is certainly different. First off, the games are being run in 2021. And seconly there are no fans. The only hollaring you hear is the other competitors. Other than that, the competition looks the same. The athletes look fit and excited and the competition is stiff. The Opening of the Olympics was on TV last evening. Ken never enjoyed the opening event. He thought it was boring with too many speeches and entertainment that failed to entertain. During last evenings event everything he did not like came to pass. Even I was bored. And the coverage by NBC did not help. I still stayed up late enough to light the Olympic Flame. But the events on day one were exciting and lots of fun and I enjoyed watching the events. My problem will be timing. I am staying up too late. I love to watch the competition and I hate missing the events I most enjoy. But I live in Atlantic time. I may resort to either not watch after a certain time, or get up late every morning. Prime time here is 9:00 so it is midnight by the time coverage ends so by the time I get upstairs and look after my night time rituals, it is 1:00 before I get to bed. But if this is the most difficult decision I have in my life I should feel myself fortunate. I must figure it out.

July 23, 2021. Western Head, Nova Scotia. Stuff Breaks.

For some reason that I do not understand, stuff just stops working. This week, the Culligan man came to check our water in both places. All was well in the main house but when he got to the Guest House he discovered that the water was not running. Obviously he could not check a system that was not working so he was required to return at a later date. The week before I arrived the hot water tank was replaced because it was leaking. Fortunately Jacky noticed the water leaking all over the floor when she was cleaning. But all was well after that. Anna and I had been in and out of the guest house and Anna had used the washing machine. But now the water was not running. What happened? Fortunately the plumber came after lunch on the same day. The control panel had stopped working. Now all is well. Peter is staying in my Mississippi house, isolating with his daughter who tested positive at camp. When he tried to use the ovens, nothing happened. Neither oven would work. I know that Kashina used the ovens two weeks before I left and Christina used them at Easter. But now the ovens are not working. I can do nothing to get it fixed because of the isolation so Peter must use the microwave. My question is how could the ovens stop working when no one was using them? Seems crazy. When I was paying the plumber I asked him what happened to the water system. His terse retort was, "Things just break". And that is the answer I guess.

July 22, 2021. Western Head, Nova Scotia. Vacation by Rail.

I am so pleased with myself. This afternoon I made a reservation to go across Canada by train, starting in Toronto and ending in Vancouver. I begin September 26, 2022 and end October 7 in Vancouver. I have always kept a list of places I wanted to visit. Going across Canada by train was on my list. Ken and I took the train from Montreal to Halifax so I had no need to repeat that journey. And in 1963 Ken and I took the train from Toronto to Montreal. In 1953, I took the train across Canada for Dave and Irene's wedding, but have not done it since. Also about 15 years ago I took the trip on the Rocky Mountaneer and hava always wanted to do it again. So now I am doing it. But not until the Fall of 2022. A few weeks ago I was speaking to my friend Butch. He has been house bound due to illnss and then Covid. During our conversation I asked him what he would like to go and see and he responded by saying that he wanted to go across Canada by train. Several years ago, he and his wife had booked a train trip across Canada but she got sick so they were forced to cancel. So we both agreed on that trip. My task was to find out what was available. His task was to obtain a passport. Three years ago, all his belonging burned in a fire in his apartment, including his passport. He assured me that he would accompany me, so I gathered information. I spoke with a lady at Vacation by Rail and I selected a trip which is a tour with guides. We start in Toronto and take the train living in our own cabins, sleeping three nights. Our tour spends a night in each of Jasper, Banff and Lake Louise. Then we take the Rocky Mountaineer to Vancouver, stopping overnight in Kamloops. After 2 nights in Vancouver, I fly home to Mississippi. First I booked my trip. Then I called Butch who told me to book his trip too. The nice lady I was dealing with was to phone him to get the deposit on his credit card. So we booked it. Now Butch must obtain his passport. And he must work on his conditioning. If you are not careful, being isolated can become debiliting. So Butch will hire a personal trainer to get him back in shape. I must keep up my walking too. So here we go. I am excitd for my 12 day cross country journey in 2022 and will be doing it with my friend Butch. Such fun! !

July 21, 2021. Western Head, Nova Scotia. The Token Tourist.

Last summer my friend Sandra named me her Token Tourist. She and her husband Bob moved to Liverpool 30 years ago from the eastern townships just outside of Montreal. Both she and Bob have family there going back many generations. So they always had company during the summer. In addition, she has many friends who only live here during the warm months so she is used to seeing friends only for the summer. But not last year. Although her daughter lives in Toronto, they were unable to visit Nova Scotia. Nor could her friends and family members living in the US. No company at all for Sandra in 2020. I was the only Token Tourist. I made the most of my position. We ate lunch out several times. And Sandra twice invitd me for dinner along with friends John and Nancy. Anna dropped me off when she left for the day and John and Nancy brought me home. So I enjoyed visiting with Sandra. This year will be different. Her daughter and her husband have already given their arrival date. And many other friends will be here after the border is open on August 9. This year I will not be a token. I am merely a friend who lives here for the summer.

JULY 20, 2021. Western Head, Nova Scotia. Grocery Bags.

When my Mother was young growing up in Victoria, British Columbia, she and her younger brother Joe often rode their bicycles to the grocery store for their Mother. She told me that they always took a container with them to bring back the purchases. The grocery store did not supply bags. You brought your own in 1911. When I was a child, the groceries always came home in a brown paper bag which my Mother always kept. We used those bage to cover our books to protect them. And we used the sturdy brown bags to wrap packages for mailing. And we played school and made pictures with those bags. Then someone decided that too many trees were being cut down in order to bring back our groceries with sturdy brown bags so the stores were encouraged to use plastic bags. For the stores all was well because the thin plastic bags were cheaper than the paper bags. But them the plastic bags began turning up in the ocean and being swallowed by sharks and whales. Now the authorities are prohibiting the use of plastic bags for groceries. Instead we consumers must buy our own containers, which we must bring to the grocery stores in order to carry home our purchasers. If we forget, the stores charge for the use of a plastic bag. In other words, we have come full circle from my Mother's days until now. The big question is whether or not this is progress?

July 19, 2021. Western Head, Nova Scotia. Fog.

Walt sold a house to a couple at Moose Harbor, close to where I live. A month after moving in, the couple stopped by Walt's office. When they were leaving, the man asked Walt why he had not been told about the fog horn. Walt apologized but in defence said to the the man that even though Walt had lived at Western Head for several years, Walt never heard the fog horn. Fortunately, the man laughed and told Walt that both of them love the sound of the fog horn. So all was well. I arrived late on July 2. The fog horn was busy for the next several days. Every time I woke at night I could listen to the fog horn. It was a welcoming sound. On Friday morning, Anna asked me if I could hear the fog horn all night because when she drove to my house, there was fog out at sea. I had to admit that I had no idea. In fact I do not really hear the fog horn now, unless I listen carefully. In other words, if the fog horn runs all the time, day and night, which it has since my arrival, I no longer hear it. My brain must shut out the sound of the fog horn. Amazing. It was just as Walt daid. "After living near the fog horn you never hear it." And he was correct.

July 18, 2021. Western Head, Nova Scotia. The Weather.

This morning the day was sunny and bright. and on my phone the temperature was 70F. I wondered if I would go for a walk outside. But I ate breakfast late and I lingered while I watched the Open golf tournament. By the time I turned round, the sun had gone away and it felt like rain, which it did. Gill walked over to say hello and when we chatted the rain came harder so by the time she was ready to leave, it was pouring. Fortunately David N. dropped over to bring me a jar of home made chicken soup, so he took her home. All the rest of the evening I could hear the dripping of water on the deck and by the time I came upstairs it was 60. When we first moved here someone commented to us that if we did not like weather at any given time, just wait. The weather will change. And it does. The other morning, out of nowhere, a storm appeared. It lasted 5 minutes but the lightning and thunder were eough to take out the TV, Internet and telephone. The storm came and went before I realized it. But for several days I have been looking out at what appears to be a lake. The sea is calm. The waves barely make a noise, even with the change of tide. Ken and I have never noticed that the weather has been an issue here at Western Head. In fact, I like it. I never know what is coming next. I just enjoy whatever comes my way..

July 17, 2021. Western Head, Nova Scotia. White Point Resort.

In January, 1999, when we were looking for property, Ken and I stayed in a cabin on the beach at White point Resort. We had a little wood burning stove in the cabin which made the place cosy and warm. I enjoyed the place all those years ago and my sentiments have never changed. I like the place. Today, friend Sandra and I went to White Point for lunch and I fell in love with it all over again. Their food is better than years ago. Today I ate haddock and a salad, which was perfect for lunch. This year they have a new executive chef so you never know what may happen but today was fine. In the summer of 2019, White Point had the best food in town. We will see about 2021. When you first drive into the resort you pass the golf course. Immediately you must drive across two fairways so you must watchout for the golfers in order to avoid getting hit by a golf ball. So I laugh about that bit of whimsy. The location of the main lodge is perfect, right along the shore with a long beach going out to the side. There is a deck where you can eat outdoors overlooking the rocks and the beach but we elected to sit inside by a big window. The sun was bright and the umbrellas had not been put out so we stayed inside. In years past, the grounds were full of rabbits. The desk keep small bags of food for the children to feed the rabbits. But this year we saw no rabbits. But the grounds looked lovely. And I was delighted to once again eat lunch at White Point.

July 16, 2021. Western Head, Nova Scotia. Christmas in July.

When we first moved to Bethesdaa, Maryland at the end of June, 1970, the classical radio station played Christmas music all day and night for the month of July. Perhaps it was August. But I liked hearing all those Christmas carols during the heat of the summer. I actually enjoyed the Christmas music more in July than December. I was reminded of Christmas in July when friend David told me that his family will celebrate Christmas this Saturday. His daughter and her family live in New Brunswick, which is the adjacent province to Nova Scotia. But the border between the two provinces stayed closed during the whole Covid mess. All the gifts were wrapped but the family was unable to visit each other for Christmas. So the family will celebrate Christmas in July. David has rented a cabin for his daughter's family in Greenfield and all the family members will gather from Halifax, Liverpool and Greenfield. First they will open gifts. But instead of going cross country skiing on December 25, they will all go swimming in Ponhook Lake on July 17. Then they will eat their traditional Chrismas dinner of turkey and all the trimmings. David is cooking the turkey, which he says is the easiest part of the meal. The whole day sound like fun to me. Finally, the grandchildren will receive their Christmas gifts both from Santa and also the grandparents. Pretty nice.

July 15, 2021. Western Head, Nova Scotia. Real Work.

I have always enjoyed watching skilled people do their work. Watching men take down a tree right beside my house in Mississippi was lots of fun. They had to be so careful yet every movement was coordinated one with the others. It was impressive. Yesterday afternoon I watched real work being accomplished. David made two bed side tables for the workshop bedroom so he brought them over and put them in place. They are a perfect fit. Next he attached the headboard to the frame of the bed. He attached the headboard with 4 big screws so the headboard will not wiggle. David made the headboard too, all made of the same clear pine. They also match the trim of the windows. Next he hung the picture, painted by Bernie. Now it is over the bed and is the first thing you see when entering the room. The ropes were still hanging from when the kayak was hung up close to the ceiling. I asked George to put the kayak up high to get it out of the way because the Mississippi boys needed to sleep in the workshop. Eventually I gave the unfiished kayak to Abe, Anna's husband but the ropes were still dangling down . But no more. The last task for David was to hang the Connor name in the garage. Last summer I had Connor the boat taken down and sent to the landfill. But I asked to keep the letters of the name. Next I asked David to put the letters on a board which we could put on the wall of the garage. Now thanks to David's hard work, Connor lives on the wall in the garage. Now all the work in the workshop bedroom has been done. I enjoyed watching it take shape.

JULY 14, 2021. Western Head, Nova Scotia. Rules.

Yesterday was the day that ended my isolation. I was interested with the rules for quarantine. When I arrived, one official told me my dates. I entered Canada on June 30, which they count as day one of isolation. So On July 7, I was instructed to take my covid test, which I did. And she told me that July 13 is my last day of isolation. But on July 2, I flew to Nova Scotia which she knew, so certainly was not isolated. Evidently they only count the nights when I am by myself. Anyway, I am finished and I must say that the isolation was no hardship. But I am celebrating tomorrow with Karen at lunch. We in Nova Scotia have entered into phase 4 of the recovery from the lockdown. The rules are long, telling when to mask and how many can enter a restaurant. People are fuzzy about what they should be doing. Gill is still puzzled by the new rules, especially when she is still getting e mails and texts that she should be following the old rules. Mary and Walt intended to drive to Maine just for a couple of days. But when she discovered all the rules when they were returning to New Brunswick and Nova Scotia they decided to cancel their short trip. The rules were so complicated to bother for such a short journey. When Mary spoke to officials about coming back to Canada she was not sure if she was hearing old rules or new rules. So she gave up. They will take a trip after all the rules have gone away. I talked with Kathy tonight. She and Beian live at Beach Meadows and have basically been at home since March, 2020. She commented that people are not sure what to do. Even though masks are not required unless in crowded situations, she still sees people wearing masks. The mask has become a security blanket. At the Farmers Market every Saturday, she notces people wearing masks even though the market is outdoors. Kathy commented to me that people glare at you if you are not wearing a mask. Interesting. All I know is that things are looking up. Now if they will just open the border I would be happier and so would the Mitchells and Elys.

July 13, 2021. Western Head, Nova Scotia. My Health.

Jacky was cleaning my house today. After she came down after cleaning my bedroom she asked me about the Ibrance box beside my reading chair. She has seen Ibrance advertised on TV and wondered what it was. So I told her what it was and why I was taking it. I started the story with Ibrance and me from 2015 to the present which is a miraculous story. She was surprised to hear my history."You look so healthy and energetic," she said. "I would have never dreamt that you are right now taking chemo therapy for breast cancer in your bones." But I am. When I get checked at the doctors offices and have my vital signs checked, my numbers are all good, so I remind the nurses that I am perfect. And we all laugh. But I am doing well. I walk every day and I talk every day. My cheeks are rosy just like all good Canadians. I eat good food. And I am definately not fading away. But the most important part of my health is that I am njoying my life. Nothing that is the matter with my health interferes with my pleasure. This evening, Mary and Walt brough me dinner but before they left we sat on the deck enjoying the beautiful evening. There was a bit of coolness in the breeze. The sun was bright. The sea was calm. We all agreed that this evening on the deck was perfect. Then after a visit, they went home while I went inside to eat dinner. If I sit still when you are looking at me, you would think that I am in the pink of health. And for the most part, I am. How fortunate am I?

July 12, 2021. Western Head, Nova Scotia. The Workshop Bedroom.

Our Mississippi friends came to visit in 2019. They came at the same time as Christina and the girls so I was short of sleeping space so I put the twin boys , who were 17, in Ken's workshop. I cleared out lots of Ken's stuff so Ian and Godfrey could sleep on the roll-away cots. We called it their workshop bedroom. It worked well so I got the idea to turn the workshop into a proper bedroom. The following winter, George, our buildre, installed ceramic tile floor. But then along came Covid and no one could come so the project came to a screeching halt. In June, I ordered a new King sized bed along with a mattress cover and sheets. Suzanne ordered a new coforter for the bed along with pillows. That we ordered from Amizon, Canada. They have arrived. The last time Don and Doreen came to visit here, Don mentioned that he does not do well on stairs. The only bed I hae here in Nova Scotia is in the Workshop Bedroom, so the bedroom needed to be finished, or at least livable when the come this summer. Annd and I spent time on Friday and again today to move furniture and make up the bed. The place retains the look of a workshop. Ken's antique workbenches are still in place and lots of tools are out on view on the shelves. But the whole room looks quits charming. David will bring the two bed side tables he has made and will attach the head board to the frame. This will be done tomorrow. He made the furniture from pine, which matches the trim on the windows. I will also get him to hang a painting made by Bernie. Ken hung it on a wall that he could see when he was working on his kayak, but now it will hang over the bed. It is quite a nice piece. Bernie was trying to show movement with machines. Perfect for a workshop we thought. I am pleased with the workshop bedroom. As it always had a full bathroom with shower the room will be useful. Both Anna and I are pleased.

July 11, 2021. Western Head, Nova Scotia. Anna.

Anna is helping me for the third time thir summer. We get along well and we have a good time together. It is a mutually beneficial ageement. She enjoys working with me and I appreciate her help and her company. Anna is not well educated but she is smart and energetic. Mennonites do not belive in education beyond grade school. But after she and her husband Abe left their mennonite church, she took a typing and computer course so she can type quickly and she does all their accounting on the computer. I am happy to be working with her again this summer. The government allows Anna to help me even when I am isolating but we must stay in separate rooms, which is no problem. This Friday, Anna went to the grocery store for me. We had made a list on Monday. She stops at the grocery store first thing in the morning, on the way to start her day. I was still eating breakfast when she arrived. The first thing she does upon arrival is to empty the dishwasher. Next she launders clothes. Every Friday she cooks. Friday she cooked a big pot of stew which will last me all week. After she finished cooking we both went to the workshop bedroom to try to put the bed in it's proper place. We managed to move a heavy workbench without removing all the drawers. With me pushing and Anna pulling we were able to find the spot for the bed. Tomorrow Anna will launder the sheets and make up the bed. Every Monday Anna launders my sheets and changes my bedding. And she launders everything in my basket. When I am finished with isolation, she will take me walkig. And this coming Friday we will go out to lunch to celebrate that we are once again, together again. Anna is a very special lady and I am grateful to be working with her.

July 10, 2021. Western Head, Nova Scotia. Isolating.

When I entered into Nova Scotia, I was told by the official who accepted my doculents that being as I had all my vaccine shots, I did not need to isolate which surprised me. But the next morning I received a ecorded masage fro the Nova Scotia department of Health that I was required to isolate. And further more, I was required to check in every day throughout my isolation to report on my health. So I was confused. Mary Mac. gave me a hot line which I called and was told that the lady official gave me incorrect information. The rule for isolation for 14 days was in force when I arrived into Canada. Therefore I must isolate for the 14 days, which I am doing. He told me that if I had returned to Canada on July 6, I would have had no need for isolate. I knew that Gill was returning on July 6 so when I spoke to her on July 7 I reminded her that she did not need to isolate. But she received the same recording so she was confused. I gave her the phone number and he told her the same information. She did not need to isolate. Gill was upset because the recording comes every day with all kinds of penalties for non compliance. He told her to ignore the messages both on the phone and on her e mails. "It will take them 7 to 10 days for them to turn off the autoatic messages," said he. In other words, during this time of change, the right hand does not know what the other hand is doing. Gill is not pleased. For me, I am happy to isolate in my lovely home by the sea. And next Wednesday, I get out of jail free.

July 9, 2021. Western Head, Nova Scotia. Sitting By the Sea.

Yesterday afternoon I sat on the deck looking out at sea. That was the first time I had been out on the deck since my arrival and I was reminded why we spent time sitting in the same spot enjoying the evening air. But I was specifically on the deck to check for any signs of the pending storm which was coming up the coast. Yesterday must have been the calm before the storm because the sea was peaceful and calm. I could hardly hear the waves. Later in the evening Walt e mailed me to say that the storm was going furthur inland across New Brunswick so no storm for us now. Every day when I look out at the Atlantic Ocean I see a different sight. I know that the water is always there but the water is different every day. That is why I enjoy looking at the ocean. It is the sme as sunsets. Every one is different and equally beautiful. Tonight the waves are noisy. I can hear the wind and I can hea the waves crashing on the shore. I am pleased to be inside and not on a boat. I am fortunate to be living at four different bodies of water. When Ken and I were turning 60, our goal was to live by water so bit by bit we did it. In Mexico I overlook the Pacific Ocean and watch the sunset evry night. In Texas we overlook Canyon Lake and most evening the family gahers on the deck looking at the lake. Even if it is hot during the day, as we look east, the deck is always comfortable. In Mississippi I live looking at the Reservoir where I watch the boats come and go. And here in Nova Scotia I enjoy watching the variety in the Atlantic Ocean. Once again, I feel fortunate to be looking out at a body of water. But I especially enjoy the Atlantic storms. So here we go. I bet the surfers will be out in force tomorrow.

July 8, 2021. Western Head, Nova Scotia. Mary MacD.

Mary is a good cook. And she actually enjoys cooking. But for the beginning of Covid, she has been cooking only for Walt. Since my arrival, she has showered me with good food. The first day she brought me a large piece of lasagna which should have served two meals but I ate the whole thing my first evening here. It was delicious and was perhaps the best laagna I have ever eaten, which is why I ate the whole huge piece. In addition she brought me 4 banana nut muffins, which I managed to eat only one at a time. The first one I ate with butter but the muffins were so moist that I ate all the rest without butter. In addition to the lasgna she brought me 2 six inch pieces of a bagette which also served me for several days. Then last evening at 6:30, Mary called to ask if I would like chili for dinner. She made a big pot of chili, which Walt was right then eating. Of course I said yes. So after a few minutes a knock came at the door and the chili arived. As I am ilolating, she did not come in but the chili was still warm in the container so I ate half of it immediately along with a warm roll. Now I have the other half to eat for lunch tomorrow. I learned my lesson with the lasagna when I ate the whole thing. I am fortunate to have a friend such as Mary and I am especially fortunate that my good friend Mary is also a good friend who happens to also be generous. I am a lucky lady for sure.

July 7, 2021. Western Head, Nova Scotia. Strawberries.

I appreciate being able to eat strawberries all through the year. The boxes in the grocery stores look wonderful. And you can get them everywhere I live. So I buy and eat those large berries. But then I come to Nova Scotia when the strawberries are in season and I remember how strawberries used to taste. Today in my garage was left a quart box of fresh local berries. Friend David had gone berry picking yesterday after work so he left a box for me. The berries are bright red and about as big as the end of my thumb, which means they are half the size of the berries we buy in our grocery store. I know they are both strawberries but they taste totally different. These berries are juicy and sweet. They are not a bit dry. The only problem with these local berries is that they only last a few weeks. Then we are back to eating the big but not juicy berries from the store. I feel fortunate that I arrived just at the height of the berry season. The season is a bit like the cherry blossoms in DC in that the cherries come into bloom when they are ready. The strawberries are just the same. But this year I got lucky. In addition he brought me a tupper ware full of strawberry puree to use on ice cream. As I have no ice cream, I will use some tomorrow on toast. And I will enjoy.

July 6, 2021. Western Head, Nova Scotia. Time Zones.

My eating schedule while I lived in Mississippi was dictated by what I wanted to watch on TV. I do not enjoy sitting at the table eating by myself because it makes me feel sad. Instead I find something I want to watch on TV and sit watching while I eat my meals. For lunch I watched two travel shows, start9ng at 1:00 Central Time zone. My favorite evenin shows begin at 7:00 which again is perfect for my evening meal. Antiques Road Show, Finding Your Roots, Nature and American Masters all air at 7:00. If I do not like a show at 7:00, I find something good at 8:00 which is still OK for a late dinner. But this does not work in Atlantic Canada. The time is 2 hours later in the Atlantic Time Zone than Central Time. The evening shows here begin at 9:00 which is too late for dinner. If I have company, I have no trouble because we always sit at the dining table. But so far, no one has said anyhing about visiting Nova Scotia so I must figure out a different sysem for TV and eating. During the last Olympics I said I was going to fly to Vancouver so I could watch the Olympics earlier in the evening than Atlantic Canada. In order to watch the Olympics, I was forced to stay up very late. I might just stay up later than normal and then sleep in later in the day. In the past, Ken and I ignored the t differences in the time zones. But this year for me it is causing me trouble. Tennis from Wimbleton starts here at 9:00 am rather than 7:00 in Texas, which is good. But I must find something to watch for my meals. And I must do it soon!!

July 5, 2021. Western Head, Nova Scotia. The Day After.

The day of travel is always difficult. I have learned to merely open my cases in order to remove nighly medications and then go to bed. In years past, I forced myself to put away all my elongings from the case and the bckpack but I have learned to leave everything alone and go to bed. That was what I did this time. I slept well and woke up at 5:00 wide awake and started puttering around in the bedroom. At 7:00 I took my morning medications expecting to go downstairs but decided to lie back down. I next awoke at 11:00, ready for the day. In past years, I was ready for the world but was not totally on my best so I have learned that I should be careful because I make mistakes. My first day home here in Nova Scotia was productive. I just put things away. Plus I returned the objects in the house to their proper place. By the end of the day I could function at home. But what a big difference in my life. I turned on the heat in the bedroom my first night here and I have kept it on. I wore wool socks. The temperature outside on Saturday was 54 degrees and the sea was calm. Sunday was 57 degrees with high surf. Today was 70 degrees and sunny. And the surfers were out. By the evening of my first full day here I began to feel normal so even though travel is tiring, the effects wear off. The day after travel I return to almost normal and by today I am as good as I ever get. I am always grateful for the day after when my systems return to normal. And every day gets better. Today the sun shone all day and it was beautiful at Western Head in Nova Scotia. I am pleased to be here.

July 4, 2021. Western Head, Nova Scotia. A Welcome Home.

The gate was open, a sure sign that the house is being lived in. And the whole house was alight both inside and out. As I seldom go out at night in Nova Scotia I seldom see the whole house alive with light. The house looked to be glowing and was a wonderful sign to welcome me home on Friday night. The door into the garage was unlocked by Mary who also turned on all the lights. When I came into the house, I could feel the warmth. Friday all day it rained so Mary turned on a bit of heat in the living room which was also welcoming. And Mary put groceries in the fridge fo me. As I looked around the garage and the inside of the house I could see that the house was clean as a whistle. Jacky had come several times prior to my arrival to clean the main house and Guest House. And she made up the bed with flannel sheets, even turning down the sheet corner, again welcoming me to get into bed. Coming home here to a clean house is always a pleaure, thanks to Jacky. And the Internet, TV and telephone were all working too. Eastlink had turned on the service mid June but Joey, the computer man came to check the systems to be sure they were running well when I arrived. And they did. By the end of the day today, the house is in order with everything in it'splace with glasses of water beside my chairs and all mail dealt with. Many people were responsible to make the home welcoming me home. For that I am grateful.

JULY 3, 2021. Western Head, Nova Scotia. Unruly Passengers.

I have read several incidents of passengers flying on planes becoming unruly. Several have been arested upon arrival and others have been so obstreperous that the plane landed to have police rmove the passenger before the flight could continue. It seems that when people wear a mask, they think they are invisible and can say or do whatever they wish. At least that is the theory. For sure, the airlines report an increase with difficult passengers. Both Friday on the two flights and again to Halifx yesterday I observd unusual behaviour. Several times on all flights the hostess was required to admonish passengers to sit down over the public address system. People were going to the rest rooms when the sign to buckle up was lit and had to be asked to return to their seat. And during the descent, several people stood up to put stuff in the overhead bins. Once again, more words on the PA. I have heard the hostesses to admonish people in the past to sit down when the buckle up sign is in force but I have never heard it so often and so sternly, musliple times. Maybe people have forgotten how to behave during a flight? Or perhaps they are just angry? Or are they are just sick and tired of being told what to do? But no matter the reasons, people on planes are not acting as in the old days. Of course, most passengers are plesant and patient, but not all. Some are down right unruly...even some Canadians on the flight to Halifax. What a surprise.

July 2, 2021. Western Head, Nova Scotia. Canada. I did it.

Getting to Nova Scotia was easy because I had all the paper work. My flight was an hour late leaving Toronto due to a bad storm. Just as we were all loaded and the last of the bags were being put in the plane, a severe thunder and lightning storm descended. So we waited. But that was the last fireworks we saw. I breezed through the officials when we arived because I had ben pre-approved. All I needed to do was to show my approval on my phone to the official and I was through with all the paper work. Of course I travelled the whole way with my Candian passport. I would have not been allowed into Canada without it. Now I am home in my lovely house by the shore but at the moment all I can hear is the fog horn, which is indeed welcoming. It wasn't easy but I am here!! Nifty.

July 1, 2021. Toronto, Ontario. The Covid Tests.

On Monday I took a Covid test in San Antonio at 1:00. We expected to get the results 24 hours later. But we went out to our final dinner worried about not getting that test. I knew not having the results would prohibit my journey to Canada. But at 10:30pm I got the e mail. so I could proceed with my travels. We were so worried about getting the results that on Monday afternoon Suzanne and I took a rapid test even though the Canadians will not allow the test. But finally the negative results arrived. When I checked in at the counter on Wednesday, the lady needed to look at all my documents. My papers passed that first time which was repeated at the second flight plus when going through customs and immigration. And I was allowed into Canadsa because all the paper work was correct. Then I went to to Covid test section. I had pre registered for the test. First my request had to be found. Then it needed to switch the information into the company doing the test. This took 20 minutes. Then I went to the next station with people wearing robes and gloves. Funally I met the nurse who took the test. So in two days I have had 3 Covid tests. This afternoon my test results arrived via internet, which was negative, which was not a surprise. So now I am free to leave my isolation in Toronto. Tomorrow, I fly to Halifax and then on to Liverpool. Mr. Gaskell will pick me up and Mary & Walt will turn on the lights and open the door. I have been approved to enter Nova Scotia but I do not trust them. I am still keeping Plan B. in place just incase I have trouble. To tomorrow I am on the plane again. And I hope all will go well.