August 31, 2021. Western Head, Nova Scotia. Simple Pleasures.

1. Six fish are now in my pond which pleases both Anna and me. Where that fish was hiding for two weeks we have no idea. When Anna went to feed the fish yesterday she could not belive her eyes. But right in front of her eyes she counted six fish. Wow. 2. This evening at 6:45, I received a text from friend Mary Mac. to say that she was on the way to bring me chowder. I was delighted. I was intending to eat roast pork and mashed potatoes which I ate last evening. Anna cooked it on Friday. But eating chowder is a definate upgrade. And the chowder arrived hot so all I needed to do was pour it up. The chowder came with a small baguette. I ate two bowls of chowder and have enough for lunch tomorrow. 3. Two days ago I received a long newsy e mail from granddaughter Kate. She nuses at the University of Mississippi hospital which is crazy busy with Covid patients. She gave me stories of life at the busy hospital. And she told me stories about her cat. So I enjoyed reading and re reading her note to me. And today I read it again with the same pleasure. All my life I have been blessed with the simple things that happen that give me great pleasure. Many times the simple pleases last longer than the major events. Just these past couple of days are perfect example. And I am grateful for those simple pleasures in my life.

August 30, 2021. Western Head, Nova Scotia. The Golf Playoff.

If you were not watching the BMW golf tournament on Sunday you missed a teat. I turned on the TV when I was drinking my orange drink, with four holes to go. Patrick and Bryson were in the last pairing and they were locked in battle to win. One point separated them. The play was rivitting and as exciting as a golf tournament could ever become. I was glued to the TV. The first thing I noticed was the difference in the style of the two players. Patrick just stayed to his game and just plodded down the fairway with not a scrap of emothion. Bryson hit long drives and was excitable. He could have won the game in regulation but he missed a 6 foot putt. So they went into overtime holes. It took six holes to decide the winner. Patrick with his steady not fancy play kept dropping incredible putts while Bryson continued the long drives...and then missing his putts. Finally, on the sixth playoff hole, Patrick dropped his putt which meant that Bryson needed to sink his six foot putt to continue to yet another playoff hole. But Bryson missed the short putt once again and Patrick won the tournament. Finally, it was over. Bryson must have been devastated. Several times he was in the position to win the tournament but always missed the putt. He refused to meet with the press after the match which did not speak well for him. I was rooting for Patrick all along. I know nothing about him but I liked his steady demeanor. He was certainly a good golfer but was never a star. But after that tournament and the multiple playoff holes and beating one of the biggest stars in the golf game, Patrick is now a star. And I enjoyed watching him become that star. I loved every minute.

August 29, 2021. Western Head, Nova Scotia. A Change in the Weather.

Liverpool has been hot. Everyone has been complaining. At Western Head we have been fortunate with a cool breeze, except for Friday which was even hot here. But when I was sitting on the deck enjoying the warmth of the sun and the warm air, all of a sunnen, the wind shifted and instead of a warm breeze I felt cool wind. A front had just arrived and during the thirty minutes I was enjoying the warm air, I felt the big shift back to the cool breeze. When we first moved here in 1999, people told us that if we did not like the weather today, all we needed to do was wait. The weather changes quickly, we were told. But I had never experienced the change while sitting on the deck. By Saturday morning, the good folks of Liverpool were happy. Now we were back to 70 during the day and 55 at night. And that is what they call good summer weather. Today was perfect. Sun. 72 degrees. A light breeze. Perfect.

August 28, 2021. Western Head, Nova Scotia. My 6 Fish.

These 6 fish have survived three winters in our little pond in Nova Scotia. That means that this is their fourth season in the pond. Even when the pond freezes over, the fish bury themselves in the mud and somehow or another, they come back to life when the ice in the pond melts. Of course, I do not see them but Walt keeps me informed. Walt also feeds them throughout the year. There is plenty of food in the pond for the fish to eat but they like the fish food we give them. Every summer we are happy to see our six fish. Anna feeds them every day she is here. The first thing she does every morning is to feed the fish. They come immediately when she throws the food into the water. Mary Frances actually trained them the last summer she was here. The clever fish have remembered and come quickly when they sense the food hitting the water. But last Monday only 5 fish came to get their treats. She watched for a bit but the sixth fish did not appear. The same happened on Friday. Only five fish coming to eat. She put food in other parts of the pond to encourage the sixth fish to come but to no avail. So one fish has died or was eaten by some critter. No dead fish has been found floating on top of the water so perhaps the lost fish will be seen soon. Racoons will eat fish. Also herons. But these fish have been clever to hide from predators. Maybe the lost fish is having babies and is just hidden from the world. We are attached to our 6 fish and hope that soon we will see the lost fish. But I am not counting on it. I think that lost fish is gone for good. Every day we look and hope. Time will tell.

August 27, 2021. Western Head, Nova Scotia. Our Old Cottage.

Ken and I loved our little cottage at Ponhool Lake. It was perfect for us. But our old cottage has been transformed. Heather and Ross purchased the cottage from us and have been improving it every since. Last year Anna and I were invited for lunch and to see the improvements in he main house. Ross did all the work himself and it is beautiful. They added 12 feet on the front of the cottage and now have one main room with a large island and the living room, dining room and kitchen just one big room. That room I saw last summer. But just today, we were invited to see the finished lower level plus the bunkie under construction. Since last year the deck out front is complete and the walkway deck made wider. The side stairs into the cottage are wider and gracious with a sitting area on the side deck. The lower level used to be crawl space. Ross dug out a basement that you access from inside stairs or in the front lower entrance. Downstairs is a bedroom, a sitting room, full bath and laundry room plus a good sized storage room full of shelves. It is useful space for their family to visit and it is beautiful too. There is a wood stove downstairs too which Ross says heats the whole house. So the cottage itself has been totally changed. Our previous owners used the small shed for storage. It had a toilet and a sink and nothing else. We installed a shower and turned it into a change room. We also added an outside shower. Ross has added a room 12 foot deep attached to the change house, which will house two single beds for the grandchildren. It also is lovely and makes the cottage more useful. Heather and Roll live full time at the cottage and have sold their home in Milton. During our life at the cottage, only one man lived full time at the lake. Now 7 people live there full time. Heather and Ross love it. They were the perfect buyers for that little cottage. It has been transformed!!

August 26, 2021. Western Head, Nova Scotia. Bowls and Blueberries.

Two things pleased me this morning when eating breakfast. First was the bowl. Wendy and Ken brought me a lovely little bowl from the french shore. Bear River has become a place for artists and artisans and they brought me this bowl the pattern called the Fundy Shore Bowl. The bottom 2 inches is blue, the color of the Bay of Fundy. The next inch is brown, the color of the mud flats at low tide. The rest of the bowl is cream color, the color of the air. The bowl is charming and I enjoy using it. The second thing pleasing me this morning was the blueberries I was eating. Wild blueberries arrived this week and I enjoy eating a big bowl every morning. The blueberries are nothing like the berries we buy in the grocery store. They are tiny, about the size of half your little finger. And they are suculent and juicy. I eat them with milk and wish I had cream in my fridge. But they are a treat. The season only lasts a few weeks. I buy a 5 pound box and keep eating and hope more will arrive. Last season, the Spring and Summer were so dry that we had no wild berries but this year they are as delicious as ever. Between my beautul new bowl and the fresh wild blueberries I was in hog heaven. They kept me smiling all day.

August 25, 2021. Western Head, Nova Scotia. Vaccinations.

Between 1920 and 1930, 20,000 children died of diptheria in Canada. The History magazine this summer published an article about the history of vaccinations in Canada. From 2020 to 2030, it would be unlikely for any children in Canada will die from diptheria. This will not just be good luck. It all is the result of vaccinations. The same is true for other infectious diseases such as smallpox, chicken pox, measels, whooping cough and polio. Once the scientists figured out to produce the vaccines, people took the vaccinations because they knew their children would avoid dying from the disease. Before attending schhos, children were required to be caccinated about all those diseases. But there seems to be a hard core of peole who are opposed to taking vaccinations which puzzles me. I know a bogus study published in a medical journal about the connection of autism with vaccinations. But that study was totally made up. There was no such study but people in California bought into it. Now you will see cases of measels because parents refuse to have their children vaccinated. Now people are refusing to be vaccinated for the Covid. It makes no sense to me.90% of people in the hospital right now with the Delta varient of Covid are unvaccinated. Don't all the others want to get vaccinated as soon as possible? The whole thing is puzzling to me. Do they not remember about all the children who died of infectious diseases in years past? Evidently not. "Get the vaccine. Protect yourself," is my message. The whole anti vaccination idea makes no sense to me. Time will tell I guess.

August 24, 2021. Western Head, Nova Scotia. Perfect Weather.

Yhis afternoon I sat on the deck. The weather was perfect. The sky was blue. The sun was strong. There was a light breeze blowing which brought a hint of coolness. I was comfortable as I listed the sound of the surf And I felt grateful to be spending my summer at Western Head, Nova Scotia in 2021. The surfers are disappointed because tropical storm Henri was supposed to bring high waves. But the storm did not imoact us at all so no surfing was done this weekend or today. The surfers were disappointed with the weather. But not me. The weather has been perfect. In Mississippi this week the temperature will be in the high 90's. Same for Texas. But not here. The temperate here was 74 today and will continue this way throughout the week. Tonight it will be 60. Perfect indoor/outdoor weather. I need neither heat nor air conditioning. This place has perfect weather and I am enjoying every minute.

August 23, 2021. Western Head, Nova Scotia. Elections.

The Premier of Nova Scotia called a snap election to be held last Tuesday. By the Fall of 2022, an election was required but evidently, the Premier thought that he was so popular right now that he could get elected for another four years. So the election was held, and Nova Scotia now has a new Premier. Wow. What a miscalculation. I loved it. From May on, I paid attention to the politics of Nova Scotia. I read and listened. And when I got here I asked questions and gathered opinions. Yhe former Premier was a liberal. And he seemed to enjoy being a dictator. In April, after a dozen or so new Covid infections, he declared a state of emergency and required everyone to stay at home. Even though no new cases occured in Quens County, everyone was required to stay at home. Everything shut down. You could not drive to the next town. You could not drive to Halifax unless you had permission for the doctor. For a short time, Nova Scotia was a police state. There were protest in Halifax and at the border to Nw Brunswick so the rules were quickly changed. In early July when the Premier called the eletion I was surprised because from talking to people here, he was not very popular. But he thought he was popular. But he lost. Now the new Premier is a Consrvative or he is as conservative there is in Nova Scotia. The moral of the story is that when an election is held, no one really knows what will happen. I laughed out loud when I read the results of the election. Served that little dictator right.

August 22, 2021. Western Head, Nova Scotia. Celebrating.

Last evening we celebrated the arrival of the Mitchells. Gill invited us to dinner. Mary and Cliff were unable to come last year from Deleware as the border was closed. The border opened August 9 but there was no warning of the impending opening so the project had to be completed before they left for Canada. Now they are here and we are delighted to see them. Mary and Walt were there too so along with Gill and me, so we were a merry group of 6. Once upon a time, Gill was not a good cook but not any more. Last evening we ate by course. First we ate cheeses and crankers along with olives and cashers. Next we ate fresh corn on the cob. Then came salmon poached in the over, along with new tiny potates and green beens. Last we ate a salad and Gills home made bread. The dinner was perfect. For dessert we retreated to the living room where Mary cut the ice cream cake I brought. It was the same dessert served by Frances at her luncheon on Tuesday. I stole her good idea. We six celebrated in style. The only sad note was that the Elys will not be coming to Nova Scotia this summer and we felt sad about that. But we are delighted to have Mary and Cliff here both looking delighted to be here with us. Cliff laughed that we will have been together for 20 seasons. Who would have thought that Mary, Gill and I met at picnick group in 1971 that we would be spending summers together in such a beautiful spot. We all agreed on our good fortune.

August 21, 2021. Western Head, Nova Scotia. Passports.

My friend David needs a passport. He is a pleasant fellow and a skilled carpenter, but organization is not his strongest suite. And he procrastinates. In December he filled all the paperwork to apply for his passport and he took his picture. He was intending to hand carry the papers to Halifax to be sure his papers would not get stuck in the mails. But Nova Scotia got locked down again so he was unable to to get to Halifax. And then he forgot about it. I wanted the passport submitted before I left town. Wonderful Wendy found out that he could submit his passport to an office in Bridgewater which pleased him as he is not in love with going to Halifax. Also Wendy found that a person could contact the Bridegewater office and request an appointment to bring in the papers, where they will review the forms to be sure all is in order. The routine is for the office to contact you within 2 days and give you an appointment in 2 more days. So I registred him and gave them his phone number. On Monday morning they called him with an appointment. He was delighted. Wendy also told him that the pictures needed to be taken with 6 months, which meant he had to have another set of pictures, which he did. On Tuesday he brought the forms for my review and on Wednesday morning he appeared at the office where the lady reviewed him paperwork. He was told that his passport would be ready for him within 45 days. Now we will see if this is true. But at least his request for his passport has been submitted. It took both Wendy and me to help him along. But it is done. And David is pleased.

August 20, 2021. Western Head, Nova Scotia. Opening the Border.

Since March of 2020, the border between Canada and the US has been closed. People with Canadian passport were allowed to enter Canada. Essential business were allowed to enter but regular people have not been admitted. But on August 9, the border has been opened for Americans to enter Canada. It is of interest that Canadians are still unable to drive into the US. Ever since the border was closed, Canadians were able to fly into any American city but you could not drive. This never made sense to me, but that was the fact. Earlier in July, the rest of Canada was allowed to enter Nova Scotia. Until then, other Canadians could come, but they needed to isolate for two weeks. Immediately, I could see other folks visiting Nova Scotia from other parts of Canada. I could see Ontario and Quebec licenses in the parking lots. A couple from Ontario were visiting their Mother who lived in Digby. They were touring Nova Scotia along with the old lady, who had not seen her son and daughter in law in two years. I have not noticed an influx of American tourists in Liverpool. But seasonal residents are returning. Our friends Mary and Cliff arrived this afternoon after driving from Deleware. We are delighted to see them. For almost 20 years we have spent summers together and I missed them the past two years. But now they are here. To celebrate, Gill is having a dinner party tomorrow evening. I am bringing what I do best which is buying an ice ream cake. The border at Calais is not backed up so evidently the Americans are not poiring into Nova Scotia. Now we hope that Wendy and Clausen will soon follow. Then our Gull Bay Group will be complete. This closed border was a nuisance. But now it is open. Hurrah.

August 19, 2021. Western Head, Nova Scotia. The Blue Chair.

The chair in the living room is a fancy recliner. It operated with electricity and even helps to bump you up to stand. We bought it in 2018, the year Ken was ill. Mary and Walt helped and we bought it before we arrived so Ken would be able to function in the living room. We ordered it from the town pharmacy and was delivered the day before we arrived. We positioned the chair so Ken would be looking out the big window overlooking the ocean. With tables on both sides, he was a happy camper. And we called it Ken's chair, which no one ever used. This is my third summer in Nova Scotia without Ken. The first summer alone, I moved the chair and unplugged the cord. People used the chair just as a comfortable chair in the living room. For myself, I never sat in that chair. It belonged to Ken. But two weeks ago, my helper Anna plugged in the cord because she wanted to put her feet up and she knew it reclined. I either put my feet up on the couch or went upstairs. But Anna forgot to unplug the cord so the next day, instead of using the couch I decided to try the big blue chair belonging to Ken. I recalled that Ken always used the chair to take a rest so I figured it would be comfortable. I have been using the chair every afternoon when I rest my legs. It is comfy and puts me almost flat. It is a great chair which I now keep plugged in all the time. Wendy often used it to put up her legs too. Now I am going to call it my chair because I use it every afternoon. With my thick wool blanket to keep me warm, I am happy as a clam. It just took me two and a half years to fgure out that the chair could be Ruth's chair too.

August 18, 2021. Western Head, Nova Scotia. A Luncheon Party.

We were nine people at the party and what a party it was. Every part of the luncheon party was perfect. Friend Fran invited us for lunch at her home. As her home is for sale, this might be the last time we would dine at her home. Ken and I have had many lunches and dinners at the home but this lunch might just be the last. The first thing I liked was the guest list. One couple I had not met at all although they were well known to Larry and Jan. And another lady I have known for many years but never socially so I was pleased to get to know her better. So the group was congenial. I always think that a party is better if not everyone knows each oher and this party fit the bill. The food was served on beautiful china, from beginning to end which lends a touch of elegance to everything. Some one asked if Fran and Kelly brought the dishes with them from Winnipeg when they moved here 18 years ago. But no. She bought all the dishes at Hoggies, a used furniture store in town. Everyone laughed because we had all purchased things at the same place over the years. The food was delicious. We started with cheeses, crackers and grapes along with a glass of wine. We sat chatting in the living room, getting to know each other. At the dining table for the first course we ate chilled tomato soup and bread. Next we were served sea food salad with a bit of a curry salad dressing. Lobster, shrimp and scallops were in the salad along with greens. And for dessert we ate ice cream cake. What a wonderful meal. After lunch we sat on the deck and enjoyed the beautiful day. And we talked some more. Actually we did not leave until after 4:30. We nine were having such a good time that we were reluctant to leave. In every aspect of this luncheon party it was top drawer. I enjoyed myself and was grateful for Fran for putting the whole party together. Hats off to her.

August 17, 2021. Western Head, Nova Scotia. Brunch at Lanes.

Several Sundays ago, I went to lanes for brunch with Fran and her sister Vera, who was visiting from Winnipeg. We three arrived at 11:45 to find the place almost full, but we had a reservation so were seated quickly. And we were brought coffee. Eventually we ordered our food. And we were given more coffee. The purpose of our meeting together was to talk. The food was merely an excuse to get together. So we talked. I had met Vera six years ago when Kelly, Frans husband died but I had not seen her since. And Fran had ben away when I arrived so we had a lot to talk about. After an hour of getting no food, Fran tracked down our waitress, who apologized. Evidently the cook called in sick in the morning and a substitute cook had to be found who turns out to be inefficient. Our food was going to take another 45 minutes to get our food. So we drank another cup of fresh coffee, fortunately decaf. We three just laughted about the delay. Our purpose was to talk and we were just given extra time. Fortunately, sister Vera was a well traelled lady so we talked about favorite places in the world. Eventually our food arrived which turned out to be delicious. And when we were finished, the waitress each brought us a piece of coconut cream pie, free of charge which pleased us all. Veras favorite cities are St.Petersburgh and Quebec City. "I could happily spend two weeks each year in those cities," she said. Finally they dropped me of at my home at 3:45. But we all three enjoyed our brunch even with all the delay. The whole thing was comical and we had fun.

August 16, 2021. Western Head, Nova Scotia. The Bluenose 2.

This year the Blunose was built 100 years ago. The boat never lost a race, so its history is interesting. Eventually, the boat sank and another was built exactly the same as the old one. I have never understood why a boat built that sunk would be nade to the exact dimentions as the old one, but thar is what happened. This Bluenose 2 has not sunk but serves as a good will embassador for Nova Scotia. Six years ago, the city of Lunenburg, who owned the boat, decided on a renovation. After three years the costs were out of sight so Lunenburg tried to donate the Bluenose to the province, who did not want it. Eventually, the funds were found and the renovations were complete but at a cost 4 times the original estimates. This summer is the first summer in six years that the boat has been seaworthy and available to the public.. This summer, to celebrate the 100 year anniversary, the boat will tour the Maritime provinces. It will visit every port. If the harbours are deep enough, the Bluenose will tie up at the dock. If the harbour is not deep, the boat will anchor off shore so people could see the big boat. On Friday, the boat docked in Shelburne, which has a deep harbour. On Saturday if was at anchor in Port Matoon. And on Sunday it was at anchor in the mouth of the Mersey River. Everyone in Liverpool went to take pictures from Fort Point Lighthouse. Liverpool was a busy place. At the end of the summer, the boat will have visited every seaside town in Nova Scotia. So far, they are taking no people out to sail. Mayby next summer. But at the moment, the Bluenose is making many Nova Scotians very happy just be showing up in the waters of their town. Pretty nice.

August 15, 2021. Western Head, Nova Scotia. What a Difference.

Yesterday we three sat on the deck before dinner. We each took out a warm jacket because the breeze was chilly. While we sat, the fog rolled in. Soon the fog was so thich we could not see the water. Nor could we see the guest house. But it was pleasant. We could hear the waves lapping on the shore although we could not see the water. And we could hear the seals snorting and roaring and honking. They hang out on the rocks in front of Gills home. And we heard the fog horn, loud and clear. Of course, the fog horn has been running every day since Wendy and Ken arrived. Wh have had a lot of fog. Sitting in the fog was pleasant and we enjoyed niblling cheese and cucumbers while we listened. All we could see was thick fog. Today was a horse of another color. All day the sun shone which made the water sparkle. I am sure in town people were an uncomfortable 84. At Western Head it was just warm and always with a breeze. This evening I sat on the deck all by myself. Wendy and Ken left for home this morning. I wore a light dress with no need for a warm jacket. Visibility was ten miles. There was no fog in any diretion. The air was crystal clear and the sky was blue. I could still hear the waves but tonight I could see the water. And I could still hear the noisy seals. Nut no fog horn could be heard. What a difference a day makes.

August 14, 2021, Western Head, Nova Scotia. Simon Perkins House.

Simon Perkins moved to Liverpool from Connecticutt in the early part of the 18th Century. He quickly established himself in the business of becoming a privateer. He never went to sea himself but he funded the endeavours. And he built a house on Main Street, Liverpool, which stands today. His first wife died in child birth with their first child. When he returned to the US to bring his child to Liverpool, he remarried. Back in Liverpool, they moved into the new home which they lived in for the rest of their lives. The had another 5 children, all in that same house. After five years of renovation, his house is once again open to the public. Wendy and I toured the house yesterday. The house is furnished in the furtniture on the period but is not the furniture of the Perkins family. After Simon died, his wife took some of the choice pieces with her when she returned to Conneticutt and she give away all the rest. The house itself looks similar to my last visit 15 years ago but the over 2 million dollars was spent of engineering and structure. And it now is airconditioned. Two ladies wearing period costumes gave us the interesting tour. Next we visited the Queens County Museum, right at the back of the same lot. In the museum is his diary, which he kept every day for over forty years. Every day, the museum staff turn to a page for todays date, just hundreds of days later. It is a miracle that it survived. It was found 50 years ago in the attic of an heir. And he donated it to the County. It is indeed a treasure. He reported everything about the town: the tide, the temperature, the amount of rain, deaths and births in town. Just everything going on in the little town, including his cash flow and income. The museum we enjoyed but nothing compares to seeing the diary. Wendy and I enjoyed our visit which was well worth our time.

August 13, 2021. Western Head, Nova Scotia. Heat Advisory.

I live in Queens County in Nova Scotia. Last evening they issued a heat advisory. I received the information on my phone. Last evening, I set out a pair of shorts and a light top because I knew I would be walking outside in Liverpool, right besidethe Mersey River. But this morning I felt chilly so put away the shorts and capri pants. Anna and I completed our errands, then went to walk. It was really hop along the shore. Even though we were walking beside the river, we got no breeze. It was hot, almost too hot to walk. In town, there was indeed a heat advisory. But when we arrived at home at Western Head and opened the door of the truck, I was reminded again why I live at Western Head in Nova Scotia. The cool breeze waftd over us from the sea keeping us cool. Even though it was hot in Liverpool, at Western Head was a cool 73. After Wendy and Ken returned from their jaunt to Digby, Ken sat outside on the deck of the guest house, wrapped in a quilt to keep him warm. That was his idea of a good heat advisory Of course, the heat advisory in Mississippi is a real one. The temperature will be in the 90s all week. Once again, I feel fortunate to be in Western Head where I must wear a fleee jacket outside during the heat advisory in Queens County. Wendy watched the temperature in the car as they left Liverpool and drove home. Amazing to watch the temperture drop. And when they got home and opened the car door, the cool breezes made them happy to be home. And they smiled.

August 12, 2021. Western Head, Nova Scotia. Chores.

Ever since Wendy and Ken arrived they have been doing chores. Wendy changed the kitchen light which has been bothering me since my arrival. I was waiting for Mal. Now it is done. But this morning was chore day for Wendy with some help from Ken. Fist Wendy took all the bones from 2 cooked chickens to make broth for soup. After simmering for 3 hours with onions, carrotts, bay leaves and pepper corns, she strained the broth and added fresh vegetables to cook. Last she added some chicken. The soup was yummy, which we three ate for lunch, all thanks to Wendy. While the broth was simmering, she fixed things. She tightened up the toilet seat in the guest house. And she figured out the lights to the cellar. She replaced a screen in the door into the workshop bedroom and she repaired with fancy tape the holes in three screens in the main house. With Ken's help, both storm doors now have working screens. The window in the living room has no screen so Wendy searched everywhere to find that screen, all to no avail. I have no idea where it disappeared. I knew it was there several years ago but it is not there now. But now with both screens in the storm doors we got a good cross breeze in the living room. After reading the manual for the dishwasher in the guest room, she found that if the water will not flow, check the latch. After opening and closing the latch several times, the dishwasher started working. Magic. After running it once more, I will cancel the repairman. Hurrah. By the time they return to Ontario, everything in the house will be in perfect order. Pretty nice for me!!

August 11, 2021. Western Head, Nova Scotia. An Outing with David.

David's last name is Nickerson. In the 17th Century, his ancestors arrived in Cape Sable Island. Many of them are still there, just many generations later. The cemetaries are full of Nickersons. He kindly offered to drive the three of us to see Cape Sable Island and al Pubnico. We selected today. Wendy and Ken are taking excursions around the province every other day so today was the day for a trip. We left at 8:00 and arrived home at 5:00, all tired and happy. At Cape Sable Island we visited a little museum holding artifacts, including his family bible with over 200 years of recorded family birhs and deaths. And we visited the stone church where his great grandfather spearheaded the building of the stone church after the original wooden church burned down. Several of the stained glass windows are im memory of his ancestors. The minister lives next door and spotted us walking around the church and came to offer us a tour on the inside, which of course pleased us. And we drove to the furthest place south in Nova Scotia at Hawk Beach. Pubnico is the place the french returned after their expulsion. It is still very french. Lots of Acadian stars can be seen on the houses and many Acadian flags can be seen. We drove down many docks and looked at hundreds of boats. The new lobster boats are wide. These newer wider boats are a new development within the past few years. We must have seen thousands and thousands of lobster pots. and many thousands of boats too. We enjoyed our day with David at Cape Sable Island and Pubnico. It is an interesting and unusual part of Nova Scotia.

August 10, 2021. Western Head, Nova Scotia. Afternoon Tea.

Almost nothing pleases me more than being invited for afternoon tea. Friend Mary Mac. called yesterday to invite the three of us for afternoon tea. I accepted immediately, even though Wendy and Ken were away for the day. The event always seems so civilized. And there are several other aspects of taking afternoon tea that appeal to me. I like the limited time period. We were invited for 3:00 and I knew we would be driving home by 4:30. Secondly, the entertaining by the hostess is easier than serving a whole dinner. So I enjoy going to an afternoon tea party, first because it will not take too long and secondly the hostess has not been slaving for hours in the kitchen. Our tea this afternoon did not disappoint me. When we arrived at 3:00 I could see fancy cups set out on the coffee table. Wendy had not seen Walt and Mary since our 50th anniversary so introductions were in order. Then we sat in the living room while Mary went to make two pots of tea: one herbal for Wendy and me and one regular for everyone else. I could see forks on the coffee table so I knew goodies were coming along with the tea. While the tea was steeping in two big beautiful new tea pots, Mary served us her carrott cake which was delicious. And we sat and ate our cake and drank our tea and talked. The event was lovely. And we did not overstep our boundaries. We were in the car heading home by 4:30 after having an enjoyable afternoon tea with Mary and Walt.

August 9, 2021. Western Head, Nova Scotia. Wendy & Ken to Grand Pre.

They started early which was a good thing because they did a lot of driving. But they had a fine day and arrived home just after 6:00, tired and happy. They drove to the other side of the province to see a bit of the French Shore. They saw the mud flats of the Bay of Fundy at low tide. And they saw the bay at high tide when the mud flats they had walked on just hours before were covered with water right up to the rocks on the shore. And they visited Grand Pre, the spot in 1755 when the french inhabitants were expelled from Mova Scotia. Even though they had lived there for over 150 years, the english governow booted them out, some to Lousiana where they becaue Cajuns, from their original name of Acadians. They walked down to the same cross on the shore from where they boarded the boats. And Ken and Wendy walked the dikes, the very same ones built by the french settlers in 1608. They reported that the park area is lovely. And they found wonderful views of the Bay of Fundy, seen from high spots overlooking the whole bay. Wolfville was full of people but they looked at Acadia University which they thought charming. So they had a good day and I loved hearing their stories. And they brought fresh corn from a fruit stand in the Annapolis Valley. It was good.

August 8, 2021. Western Head, Nova Scotia. Tim & Diane.

Diane came here first to oversee the construction of their retirement home just along the shore from us. She came and went, returning to their home in up state New York where Tim worked. They had prevouly taken a vacation to Nova Scotia and fell in love with the South Shore. So they decided to spend their retirement years here at Western Head. After the house was completed, Tim retired and they both lived here, hoping to spend a long retirement. Eventually they got their papers to live here full time so all was well. But fate dealth them a curve. Diane came down with cancer, which killed her after six years. But they enjoyed their life in Nova Scotia and took an active role in the community. Diane volunteered with the SPCA while Tim joined the Scotch Drinkers society. Many ladies and their dogs went daily to Beach Meadows Beach to let the dogs run While the men met daily for coffee in town. So they enjoyed their life. But Diane died and after two years Tim died too. They had no children so all their funds they donated to our local Queens Memorial Hospital. Before Diane died, they had told us that their funds were to go to the hospital because the hospital was very kind to Diane during her last illness. Even though Tim died 4 years ago, the funds were just announced in the papers and on TV. Diane and Tim donated 4.8 Million dollars to the local hospital, the largest donation the hospital had ever received. Tim's brother Tom was the executor of the estate and he came with funds in hand. People in town were stunned. Just this week I have been asked whether or not I knew Tim and Diane because I also live at Western Head. The funds took awhile to get here from the US. And the local hospital officials needed to be sure tht the money would come to Liverpool and not to the South Shore HospitalAssociation. But all is well. The generous donation is here. Already the new space has been named The Ledvina Annex, which will house offices for doctors. Tim & Diane were not here for a long time but their influence lives on just because the staff were so kind when Diane was dying. Pretty nice.

August 7, 2021. Western Head, Nova Scotia. The Pond.

Today I received good news. The funny little man who sells fish and pond supplies, declared that my pond was perfect. "It is a natural pond,"he said. "The water is clear and the fish are healty. Do nothing with that pond". I was delighted. The first year after Ken died I asked Ivan of the Garden Center, to clean up the areas in the yard that Ken had planted, including the pond. He is the same man who made the sculpture of Ken. He does not like to do maintenance projects but he did it as a favor to me. And it looked better. But he pulled out the lily pads which had bloomed all summer for years. He said they were dead. Since then, grasses have grown in the pond so I wanted someone to check the pond. His name is Allen and we have been dealing with him for years. His business is just outside Shelburne. He knows everything about gold fish and on his property he has several good sized ponds full of different sized fish. He is a gold mine of information and we have enjoyed talking with him. Now this funny little man has told me that I must keep Ivan away from the pond. "Ivan knows nothing about ponds and fish," he said to me. The fish like the grasses. The fish are happy. All these words were music to my ears. I do not need to do anything except enjoy the pond. Lethergy is it's own reward.

August 6, 2021. Western Head, Nova Scotia. The First Day.

The first day is a good time to chill out and get your bearings in any new place. Wendy and Ken did exactly the right thing. They chilled out and stayed close to home. After breakfast and a visit, they headed to the grocery store while I had a pedicure. Then we met for lunch at the Quarterdeck restaurant for lunch. Anna was driving me. While we headed home, they visited the Fort Point Lighthouse and museum to learn a bit about the history of Liverpool, which I think is interesting. I put up my feet while Anna cooked our dinner of chili. Then we drove to visit Gill. She designed her own house and it is charming, with windows all across the main room overlooking the ocean. Her view is spectacular. They toured the house and folly while I enjoyed the view. Then we had a cup or herbal tea, which she had set out for us. She served us with good china cups and saucers brewed in a new large teapot. And we talked and enjoyed ourselves. Gill had a Zoom conference at 5:00 so we headed home. Next up, Ken did his laundry in the Guest House while Wendy and I talked. And they drank a glass of red wine. For dinner we ate the chili prepared by Anna along with sourdough bread. Fresh cherries for dessert. By 8:30, Wendy and Ken retreated to their own abode while I read my e mails, which I have not looked at for days. We all three enjoyed the day. Tomorrow they will drive to Lunenburg to see the Blusnose, which is at the docks. Today they were fully recovered from their drive. Today they will both feel even better than today. But today was a good day for all.

August 5, 2021. Western Head, Nova Scotia. Wendy & Ken.

Wendy has not been to visit Nova Scotia since our 50th anniversry here in 2008. And Ken has never been here, So finally they are here. And I was delighted to see them. It is a long drive from Ontario. When we first told my brother Dave that we had bought a place on the shore he called me back after he looked at a map, to tell me that we could not buy a place on the shore in Nova Scotia bcause a person could not easily get from here to there. And he was correct. It is not an easy drive. In addition, Wendy and Ken spent a day in Quebec City, which made their journey longer. But they made good time and spent the night in Frederickton and drive the rest today, arriving at 6:45. After a chat , they took their belongings to the Guest House and settled in. After a glass of wine back in the main house, we ate Anna's stew for dinner along with sourdough bread. The dinner was simple but good. Gill brought over half a ripe cantalope this afternoon which we enjoyed for dessert. After a short visit, they headed back to the Guest Hourse, their new home, and by 9:30 their lights were turned off. They were both tired. But they were happy to be here. "No driving tomorrow," they said. Tomorrow they will feel better, I feel sure. I am delighted to see the lights go on in the Guest House. And I will enjoy their company. I have not seen them since Mexico, in 2019. We will have a good visit. Wonderful Wendy and Ken are here. And I am smiling.

August 4, 2021. Western Head, Nova Scotia. The Grand Canyon.

There is no doubt about it: The Grand Canyon is Grand. David and Suzanne and the four girls just got home from a two week row down the River,at the bottom of the canyon. They used the same company as we used 28 years ago when our family along with the Elys and the Mitchells took the same journey down the river in little dories rowed by guides. Our trip was wonderful. Now David reported that their trip was wonderful too. Their trip was different but equally as good. The rain had been heavy in Arizona so the river was high. And the week before a hiking party in another river trip had a person drown during a flash flood while hiking in a slot canyon. The guides were careful with the hiking. which David remembered from the last time were no longer available this trip. And it rained so they were forced to put up little tents every night. Extra water was let through the dam every day so the rapids were high and exciting. But the rocks of the canyon are the same and the food cooked by the guides was delicious so they were all happy campers. There were 5 boats and 15 people, plus 5 guides. The group was congenial according to David. One week after our trip 28 years ago David and Suzanne were married. Suzannes parents did not wish Suzanne to take the trip so close to the wedding so Suzanne was not on that trip. Now she finally took her own trip down the grand canyon in little gaily painted boats rowed by guides. Now she is happy and so are the girls. Lots ot do. Exciting rapids. Hikes every day. Good food. A perfect vacation.

August 3, 2021. Western Head, Nova Scotia. Bruce Smith.

Bruce lives up the hiil and across the street from Gill on Sand Beach Road. I fist met him many years ago at a craft sale in Beach Meadows. The show was large and crowded and for some reason I was not in a buying mood. I met Bruce and chatted with him. And I admired his carvings. When we got back to the car, Rita showed us the wonderful carvings she bought and I wished I had also purchased the lovely birds. When I got home, I called Gill about the show and suggested that she and Mary should make the drive to the craft show. And I mentioned that Rita had purchased birds from a carver, Bruce Smith, and that I was sorry I did not buy anything. Then Gill told me that Bruce lived across the street from her and if I wanted to buy his stuff she felt sure he would bring his work over to my house. He has been bringing his work over to my house ever since. Today I got my own showing of his recent work. He was a management consultant in his past life. He travelled all over the world working as a consultant. But when he was not working as a consultant, he would carve. Now that he is retired and no longer travelling, he carves. Unfortunately his hands are letting him down. Mostly he carves kitchen utensils, such as spoons and stirrers, which he shows at the Saturday Market in town. But his work is still lovely and I always enjoy seeing beautiful hand made objets. Anna liked them too. Now I have a heads up with my Christmas gifts, thanks to Bruce.

August 2, 2021. Western Head, Nova Scotia. Tedious Tasks.

Everyone is required to complete these boring tasks, the ones that must be repeated over and over again. My solution to keeping cheerful when completing those tasks is to make a game out of the job. Today was a perfect example. In 2000, I was prescribed two medications. The Neurologist in Texas said to me, "Ruth, get used to taking those pills because you will take them for the rest of your life". So far he was correct. Every five weeks I assemble my medications into weekly pill containers. Over the years I have had a couple of extras added to my list. I have a box for the morning and a box for the evening and I make them up every five weeks. It is a boring task but important. The only difficult part of the task is when I must split one pill in two which is not so easy to do, even with a splitter. The rest is tedious, just putting one pill at a time in each section of the week, then checking to be sure each section has the correct number of pills. My game is to dump enough pills into my hand to fill the five weeks of each week. I get great glee when I come up empty handed when filling the last section. It makes no sense at all but I play a game with myself every time I fill those little boxes. Sometimes I put three of the weekly boxes in front of me, just to see if I can dump 21 pills into my hand to fill the three boxes.. When I win, I chuckle. Today was the day to fill my 5 weeks of pill boxes. And I must say that I did not win the game. But it kept me amused and the task was finished before I had to think about that boring job. So I won after all.

August 1, 2021. Western Head, Nova Scotia. Lockport.

Once upon a time, Lockport was an important town in Nova Scotia. When you look carefully on the map, you will notice that Loakport sticks the furthest out to sea than any other town. First it was an imporant fishing village. But when the train came to town it became the most important town in Nova Scotia because the fishermen could get their catch faster to the train than any other port town. Big houses were built in Lockport and fishing plants too. For a long time the town boomed. Then the roads were improved and bit by bit Lockport lost it's favored place with the fishermen. And Lockport began shrinking. Now it has a population of around 1000 which swells four times during the summer. It has become a small fishing village and a summer tourist destination for summer residents. Today, David and I drove to Lockport for a Sunday excursion. Once we left highway 3, we drove along every backroad, just exploring. We saw many many homes on gravel roads overlooking the water. We never missed one road, many of which neither had seen. But the homes on these little roads were amazing. The homes are beautiful, well tended and lived in. And we saw lots and lots of marsh lands. We would drive down this road seeing nothing. But down by the little harbor we would find a half dozen homes, all with beautiful views. We saw many homes today hat had wonderful views. We were expecting to find Lockport looking dowdy without the normal tourists but we wer wrong. The homes lookad as pristine as ever and several homes were in the midst of being renovated. Our lunch at my favorite restaurant overlooking the harbor was still. And the food was just as good. We both enjoyed our excursion to Lockport and were pleased with the look of the place. It is still a funky little town with a wonderful beach. And I was happy to see it again.