September 23, 2021. Western Head, Nova Scotia. The Nova Scotia House.

The first thing that people notice when entering the house is the view. First off, everyone walks directly to the big windows to look out to sea. Once upon a time, the windows were small but we fixed it and installed three big windows so the view is spectacular. We kept the small windows facing the street as they were because we did not want to change the charachter of the old house but of course, no one can see the windows from the ocean so we installed big windows. The view is the first thing that everyone finds attractive when entering the house. Next thing they turn to see are the paintings. Ken and I have filled our walls with paintings, made by Nova Scotia artists. We just kept looking and buying so soon the walls were full. I have favorites. One painting by Marion Bond hangs over an old chest. The piece was purchased by us in 1962 when we camped in the Maritimes. Marion Bond told us that she lived in New York City but spent summers in Nova Scotia. This painting is a depiction of Paggy's Cove, the most photographed place in Nova Scotia. Ken was still in medical school so we certainly could not afford to buy art. But we did. When we moved to Texas, we left the painting with Dave and Irene, who hung it over the mantel. The picture has been reframed three times. But the painting is still a favorite. Another favorite painting was not made by a Nova Scotia artist. Kate Holmes is the sister of friend Denise from work. Over the bed is a stylized painting of 2 pigs on the shore complete with a lighthouse, balls and the sea. Written on the picture is "By the Sea". I love the painting because I have always said it was just like Ken and me, pigs playing by the sea. All the paintings pleases me but some more than others. "Some pretty", as they say in Nova Scotia.