July 31, 2022. Western Head, Nova Scotia. My New Toilet.

I did not even knew I needed a new toilet.  But I have one anyway.  And I like it.  It happened by accident.

Anna asked if I knew anyone who needed a new taller toilet because they did not like it.  They installed it in their new cabin.  Both Anna and her husband Abe are short and their tall toilet was not comfortable so they replaced it.  I thought I would enjoy a taller commode in the first floor bathroom so I suggested they put it in my bathroom.  I was to pay for the almost new toilet and Abe would install it in exchange for taking them out for dinner last evening.

So we enjoyed our dinner at Paul's German restaurant in town.  Then  Abe installed my new toilet.  Pretty nifty.  You just never know what will happen next.  Cost me $150. for the toilet and $100. for dinner which I thought was a bargain.  Today I have enjoyed my new toilet.  And I am happy.

July 30, 2022. Western Head, Nova Scotia. Tommy and Joyce.

Joyce and I took all our swimming credentials together many years ago.  We met at the Salvation Army Youth Fellowship camp at Jackson's Point on Lake Simcoe.  That was 1953.  We bonded when we along with two other girls snuck out from camp and went swimming in the middle of the night.  All I remember of that event was that we did not get caught.  And that the lake seemed cold and uninviting in the pitch black.  And we never repeated our escapade.  But we have been long life friends.

The visited me on Wednesday.  They were visiting their grandson who is working at Acadia University.  Their son Rick came too for the short visit.  While they are in Nova Scotia, Rick and his wife and son drove them to visit me for the day.  We had a grand time.  The weather was glorious so we ate dinner outside, along with lunch on the Thursday.  Then mid day, they were whisked away back to Wolfville.  And then back home to Toronto two days later.  I was so pleased they took time to come to say hello.  We  caught up with everything we had forgotten over the years.

After dinner, we sat together in my little TV room and watched a few innings of the Toronto baseball team, which Tommy loves to see.  It was cosy and fun.  Which was just like their visit.  Fun and cosy.  

July 29, 2022. Western Head, Nova Scotia. My Canadian Passport.

 When I took in my  Canadian passport renewal application into the Bridgewater office in June, they told me that I can renew with one year of the date that it expires.  So they could not accept my application.  And they urged me to hand carry my request into the Halifax office, where i was guaranteed to receive my new passport in 15 days.  The pleasant lady even made an appointment for me for July 29.  Today was the day.

I was not looking forward to the trip.  The office is downtown.  The city is busy and crowded.  But I had no choice.  Anna drove her own vehicle and with her GPS directing the way, we had no trouble.  We even had an easy parking space.  Actually, our day was perfect.  As we had an 11:30 appointment, we had no waiting.  We were back on the road heading for home in 30 minutes.

In two weeks, my Canadian Passport will arrive, which will tell me that I can take trips until 2033.  Being eternally optimistic the lady asked if I wished a 5 or 10 year renewal.  Now here we go.

July 28, 2022. Western Head, Nova Scotia. My foot.

When I fell in the bathroom, I gashed the side of my left foot.     At the time, it did not bleed much so at the hospital, no-one even looked at my foot.  And neither did I.  Suzanne noticed it several days later, noting that I had received a nasty chunk removed from my foot.  She noted that it did not seem infected, which was good.  But it had started to swell and to get really red.  Both Gill and Mary Mac. wanted me to go to the out patients at the hospital so have a doctors look at it.

But Suzanne and Anna thought I should soak it twice a day in Epsom Salts, which I did.  I finally decided to go to the hospital, only to discover that I must wait 8 hours to see the doctor.  So I came home and I sent a picture to Norm, who wa on his way to Vancouver on a plane.  When he arrived , he asked me three questions: Was the area hot? Was there any drainage? And could we see any puss?  Our answer was NO.  He suspected that the bright red we noticed was part of the healing.  And as there seemed to be no infection, Anna and I were on the right track.

My foot is slowly getting better.  The dark red area is much smaller and the pink area less bright.  We have been soaking it twice a day, using peroxide and polysporin.  And my foot is slowly but very slowly improving.  Still no drainage.  Still no puss and still not hot.  Therefore, no need for antibiotics.  Whew.

Once again, I relied on the medical expertise of my nephew Norm.  In all the years, I have never needed the  advice of Norm.  But this summer he has helped me three times.  Thank heavens for Norm.  Doctors in Nova Scotia are in short supply.

July 27, 2022. Western Head, Nova Scotia. Tent on Top.

Can you believe that Kenny and Anne are sleeping in a tent on top of their car?  The first thing is to park the car on the level.  My first question is how to get out in the middle of the night without falling down the ladder.  They tell me that sleeping on top of the car is better than sleeping on the ground in a tent.  The hardest part is to open the zipper when your bladder is full.

It is tricky.  The tent stays in a box on the top of the car.  Within five minutes, the tent pops up and is quickly and firmly attached, with a ladder to climb up and down.  In addition there is a dining fly that provided shelter and shade out to the side.  And the fly can stay on the camp site if they go for a drive but retain the camping spot.  All very nifty and high tech.

Kenny and Anne have spent the past 13 years exploring the waters of British Columbia.  But their boat is in Mexico so this summer they are exploring the interior of British Columbia, all the way to the Yukon.  They are having a wonderful time camping.  But until I spoke to them this week, I had never heard of sleeping in a tent on top of their car.  Seems to work just fine. 

July 26, 2022. Western Head, Nova Scotia. More Help.

 David and Suzanne suggested that I have more help at home so Anna agreed to work on Tuesday and Thursday, from 10 to 4.  And as usual from 9 to 5 on Monday and Friday.  I agreed with the plan but I did comment to Anna that she might be bored with not much to do.  But so far, the schedule has worked out fine.  We do things that we have never had time to do.

For instance, Anna brought an oatmeal dish she had made last evening.  When she arrived early at 9:30, we both ate our breakfast up in my bedroom, eating oatmeal squares and peaches along with tea.  Next she helped me shower, which she had never done before.  She actually scrubbed my back, which felt good.  And of course, I am also still soaking my foot twice a day, which takes time.  After I soak my feet in hot water and Epsom Salts for 20 minutes, Anna appleis peroxide, followed by essential oil.  And lastly, the antibiotic cream.   This all takes time.

And she has taken to setting out my dinners, using the leftover food from the caterers.  So Anna is finding things to be helpful to me.  Soon I will not longer need to soak my feet so perhaps I will be able to launch out to walk in town.  Having Anna four days is a luxury.  I feel spoiled.  And grateful for her time.

July 25, 2022. Western Head, Nova Scotia. Sue and Steve.

Sue and Steve live along the shore from me, just the other side of friend Mary M.  They moved here just before Covid struck so of course, they have not met many people very well.  They are retired except Sue still writes and publishes books on education that she self publishes.  Steve is a wonderful gardener and Sue preserves everything he grows.  Somehow or another, I have gotten to know them.  They are energetic kindly people and I like them.

My foot needs to be soaked twice a day.  But on the weekend, I have no helper so I asked Sue and Steve if they could come down and do the job.  Anna has gotten to know them too, as we often return canning jars.  So Anna also drove down to explain to them what was needed.  This weekend they came morning and afternoon to tend to my needs.  And we had a good time too.  We talked .  And we talked.  And we talked. Steve did all the work while Sue sat at the table and talked.  I picked their brains as to how they met and how they married.  I now know more about them than I know that my siblings.

The most important thing about them is that I love living on the shore in Nova Scotia.  And they are perfectly happy being isolated.  Steve is never happier than when he is working by himself in his garden.  I also appreciated their kindnesses to me.  They bring me vegetables and other goodies.  And now they have been kind enough to come and soak my feet twice a day.  They are wonderful neighbors and I enjoyed their company.

July 24, 2022. Western Head, Nova Scotia. A Pleasant Day.

Larry and Jan offered to bring a light lunch today.  With all my company I had not seen then since the end of June.  They arrived just after 1:00.  Soon after that, Gill walked over to check up on me.  Of course, she was invited to join us, which she did.  We sat in the living room sipping white wine and munching on smoked salmon with cream cheese, onions and capers.  The food was delicious along with the good company.  For dessert we ate mangos, strawberries, a biscuit and whipped cream.  Gill left for home while Larry and Jan stayed until 4:00.  I enjoyed their visit.

While they were here, David brought me goodies he had cooked: hodge podge and fruit salad.  He did not stay as he was on the way to take his dog to Sand Beach.  But now I have dinner for tomorrow.  At 5:00, Sue and Steve came to set up  to soak my feet.  We chatted for ages.  This ended my very pleasant day with friends.

For supper I ate squash soup, made by Mary MacDonald and brought to me on Friday.  I ate half that same day and was delicious.   My friends here in Nova Scotia enhance my days.  And for that I am grateful.  

July 23, 2022. Western Head, Nova Scotia. Ailments.

Many years ago, one of the receptionists told me one morning that she had a sore shoulder.  I laughed and told that as she was over 70, she needed to get used to the reality that something is always going wrong with her body.  We both laughed.  And continued to laugh about her ailments except she never mentioned that something was not working properly.  

In my own life, difficulties have happened to me in my 80s.  But I have trouble not to dwell on those ailments.  I am not thinking of the big illnesses, such as my stroke and breast cancer.  I mean the little nagging things that cause me not to function well.  For instance, just this year after I returned from Mexico I hurt my achilles which made walking difficult.  On the cruise I had trouble with my right sciatic nerve.  Then I had Covid.  Next up my back hurt a lot so much so that I took meds for back spasm.

And then I fell.  My eye is recovering from being black and blue , my legs are still shaky and I still am tending to the gouge on my foot.  I am soaking it twice a day but it still looks nasty.  It seems that something is always falling apart.  Or perhaps I am on a run of bad luck.  I am certainly ready for all these ailments to be gone.

July 22, 2022. Western Head, Nova Scotia. The Sea.

Up until now, the Atlantic Ocean has been calm, really like a big pond.  A very big pond.  The whole time Christina and the girls were here, they saw no waves.  Just ripples.  The same with the Texans.  No big waves.  No high tides.  No surfers in Gull Bay.  Every day, people looked for high seas but to no avail.  Not even enough wind to fly kites.  Fortunately, there had been enough rain so there was no burn ban.  Everyone was disappointed with the lack of big waves.

The Texans left for home this past Tuesday.   Lo and behold, on the Wednesday the wind began to blow and the waves were high, crashing onto the shore with a ferocious sound.  At high tide, the water was right up to the area of foliage beside the lawn.  The ocean has been active all this week but every day had a different level of activity.  The moral of the story is that you must stay a bit longer in order to see the full extent of the variety of the Atlantic Ocean.  You really never know what will happen next.

July 21, 2022. Western Head, Nova Scotia. The Empty House.

Everyone left for Texas on Tuesday morn  ing.  After they left at 7:00, the house was deathly still.  So I went back to sleep after saying goodbye.  I had enjoyed  sixteen days with good company.  Now I miss them.

After I fell, David and Suzanne thought that I needed more help at home so Anna agreed to come in Tuesday and Thursday, in addition to her normal Monday and Friday.  She actually stayed over in my bedroom the first night I was home from the hospital and she worked on Thursday too that week..  From than on, she will work with me from 10 to 4.  I was not sure what she will do for those extra days but today we managed to fill the day.   And my cleaning lady is now coming to clean on Wednesday so someone will be here to check on me five days the week.

But when Anna leaves I am alone in the house and the house is very quiet.  But next week my friends Tom and Joyce will come for just one night for a short visit so I will enjoy their company.  This evening friend David came by for a visit.  And on August 2, Pat and Mal will visit for two weeks.  I am hoping cousins Rita and Ian will visit in September.  So the house will not be empty too long.  And for that I am happy. 

July 20, 2022. Western Head, Nova Scotia. My Apple Watch.

I own my very own Apple Watch 7, given to me by David and Suzanne.  The day after my fall, they drove to Bridgewater to buy me one.  This clever watch can tell if I fall.  Then it asks me if I am OK.  If I do not respond, the  watch contacts 911, using the GPS to know where I am.  My neighbor told me a few years ago that I needed one.  In Mexico, Wonderful Wendy researched all the options and selected the 7.  Christina and I intended to go shopping upon mu return to Mississippi.  But the Spring season was busy so we were never able to shop.  I was fortunate that David and Suzanne were here when I fell.  No telling how long I would have been able to get help as I had not taken my phone with me to the bathroom.

Now I have my very own very fancy Apple Watch.  It will perform lots and lots of stuff, most of which I will never use.  But I will wear it to bed and to the bathroom.  Because if I fall, my clever watch will alert someone that I have fallen and will send help.  For that I am grateful for David and Suzanne.  I have entered the modern world.

JULY 19, 2022. Western Head, Nova Scotia. The Fire Pit.

Our fire pit at our Nova Scotia home must be one of the all time best location for a fire.  It sets not far from the ocean so when you are sitting by the fire you can hear loud and clear the waves hitting the shore. Just the other side of the fire is a deck with chairs so when you sit by the fire on the deck you can see and hear the ocean, yet you are sitting on a level deck.   There is a large grass area all along the shore so the children can play if they do not wish to sit by the fire.  It really is a spectacular location for a fire.

And of course, we have had many many fires over the years.  After dinner, all the young people head down to the fire, the one that was started before dinner.   David would build up the fire while everyone gathers.  All ages are welcome except the elder folks generally do not join in the fun.  And they do have fun.  I can hear the laughter and the hoots.  Sometimes silly nursery games were played to great hilarity.  Everyone joins in the fun.

Now David has enough wood left over from this seasons fires that he will be able to build many more fires the next time they are here.  Everyone will look forward to the next season of fires at Western Head, down by the water.

July 18, 2022. Western Head, Nova Scotia. The Kedji Seaside Hike.

 Today the Texans took their last hike in cool air and they selected a great hike.  They walked in the Kedji Seaside Park to see the seals.  From our home you drive south and park not far from Highway 103.  You walk to the sea and walk along the top of the rocks to see all the seals.  The day was perfect for a long hike and it was overcast with fog coming and going.  They saw lots of seals.

I had told them about a longer hike back to the parking lot, which entails more walking along the shore, followed by a path through wetlands and grasses, mainly on board walks and rocks.  The full hike ended up to be almost 6 miles so they were all pleased with their day.  The hike is lovely with enough variety to be interesting.

On the way home they stopped at The Quarterdeck  for seafood chowder and biscuits.  David, Suzanne, Debbie, Heath and Harper were happy campers when they arrived home at Western Head.

July 17, 2022. Western Head, Nova Scotia. The Lobster Dinner.

 The day was full and pleasant.  After a late breakfast of bacon and scrambled eggs, the five went to see the home of friend Peter, who lives just along the shore.  His home is unusual, modern and elegant.  Suzanne had seen the home in architecture Digest so she wanted to see the real thing.  Peter is always gracious in allowing my family and friends to see his home.  

Next they walked Pine Grove Park, a lovely little park just outside of town, full of trails and ponds.  Finally they visited The Sculpture Garden, Ivan's  beautiful area full of his work.  They were duly impressed.  On the way home they stopped at Sobey's to buy lobsters for tonights dinner.

The Lobster dinner was the biggest hit of the day.  David brought out all the equipment that Ken used to cook lobsters and David discovered that everything worked so he cooked the lobsters on the deck with the stove and pots used by Ken.  Ken would have been pleased.  They ate their lobsters outside on the deck and enjoyed every bite.  I elected to not eat lobster so ate left over food, which was also delicious.  The evening was chilly which made the butter congeal but they bundled up in a warm fleece and enjoyed their lobster dinner.

Now the five are down enjoying the cool evening sitting by the warmth of the fire.  After all, on Tuesday they return to the heat of Texas so they are relishing every moment of the cool air.  But the lobster dinner was the big hit of the day.

July 16, 2022. Western Head, Nova Scotia. The Fishing Trip.

 Today the Texans took a fishing trip.  David, Suzanne, Debbie, Heath and Harper went on an excursion with our friend Mike Swim, who is a lobsterman.  He was kind enough to take them out on his big lobster boat.  Mike's wife, Anne, came too along with his two sons.  As a fishing trip it was a failure.   They caught only one seagull and one piece of a broken chair.  But as a bout ride excursion, it was a big success.

The met Mike at 1:00 in Port Mauton dock.  For an hour, they headed right out to sea so they could almost not see the shore.   And they all fished but got nary a nibble but they all talked, watched dolphins and the Texans kept putting on layers of clothing to try to keep warm.   Just after 6:00 Suzanne texted me to look outside, as Mike had driven them right in front of our row of houses.  I waved from the deck.  By the time they got off the boat they were famished so ate dinner at The Quarterdeck Restaurant, where they reported good food and excellent service.

Of course, I wanted a blow by blow description of the day, which by all accounts was lots of fun.  So as a fishing trip it was not a great success but as a day on the water, in the lobster boat, it was a triumph.  Most importantly, they enjoyed the time with Mike and Anne. 

July 15, 2022. Western Head, Nova Scotia. My System.

 No question about it.  My system failed me.  My system was to always carry my cell phone with me so if I fell, I could contact someone for help.    Ken had given me a little phone purse that I kept with me one hundred percent of the time, slung across my shoulder.  I never moved around without carrying that little leather purse except when I went to bed, then I kept the phone beside me on the night table.  Unfortunately many falls occur  at night when old people like me go to the bathroom in the middle of the night and they fall without the phone by their side.

To make it worse, I had left the phone charging on the other end of the bedroom so I would have needed to get across the full length of the bedroom in order to get help.  Fortunately for me, David and Suzanne were here and fortunately David got up to go to the bathroom not long after I fell on Tuesday morning. My new system will be better.  Today David and Suzanne bought me an Apple Watch and tomorrow we will get it set up.  My plan is to wear my Apple watch during the night and charge it during the day.  I will still wear my phone slung across my shoulder but I will will also be wearing my new Apple Watch so that if I call, someone it will contact me to see if I need help.  This new system should be foolproof but, of course, I intend not to fall again.  

July 14, 2022. Western Head, Nova Scotia. The Fall.

Last evening I spent the night at the Queen's County Hospital.  But now I back home, still walking and Talking/  But not yet eating much.  

At about 4:30 in the morning I got up to go to the bathroom.  Getting up from the toilet I lost my balance and I fell forward onto the floor and hit my head.  I checked all parts of my body and then began calling Suzanne and David.  Fortunately, David got up to the bathroom too and found me.  Suzanne immediately went for the ice pac the knot on my hear while David called for the ambulance.  They were not speedy but evenly I was evaluated and we all decided to keep my in the ER all day and night, which is what I did.

I seemed to have a gastric ailment, which perhaps was one reason for the fall.  So I have had the trots all yesterday and today, which is the reason I am not eating much except fluid.  Another reason for falling was the medicine I was using for my back spasms.  Up until then, I was taking one 5ml. pill.  In order to sleep well on Thursday evening I took 10ml,, which was a mistake.  So I will not make that mistake again.

By the time David and Suzanne left the hospital the big knot on my hear had gone.  So we were dealing with the trots and the dizziness.  They loaded me up with a drip to keep my hydrated.  And to allow me to recover from the fall.  David and Suzanne have been incredibly helpful buying what I needed.  And Anna came to stay the night tonight  with me to be sure I will fall again.  In addition, she will help mre on Tuesdays and Thursday until I am fully recovered.  No fall is a good fall but I was fortunate.  I am still walking and talking.

July 12, 2022. Western Head, Nova Scotia. The Big Fire.

David likes building big fires.   Right now, the crew is down by his big fire, keeping warm on a chilly evening.  David built the fire late this afternoon.  And he flew a kite.  He used the wheelbarrow to carry the wood down to the fire and he also burnt up the old benches.  After sitting around the living room eating dessert after dinner, Suzanne persuaded him to build up the fire.  And he did.  Everyone is wearing fleece jackets from the closet.  And they are having fun.

Today they went into town.  They checked out the lighthouse and went to the grocery store.  Then came home to take a walk while David make the fire.  They are all settled into their spots.  Now they just need to enjoy themselves.  Texas has over 100 degrees today do they are loving the cool daytime temperature of 64.    Wade and Bonnie could not come due to Covid.  And the E's intended to bring their 2 daughters but they discovered a few days ago that one had never been vaccinated so she could not enter Canada.  So we have a smaller group than expected.  Now we are five.  

David hopes he has enough wood.  He does love those big fires.  I can see them from my bedroom, all standing around the fire trying to keep warm.  It is a lovely scene.  I am delighted to have them here. 

July 11, 2022. Western Head, Nova Scotia. The Big Switch.

Early this morning, David, Suzanne and friends left San Antonio to come to Nova Scotia.  They drove to Austin, then flew to Toronto to clear customs and then on to Nova Scotia.  They are at the moment in the air and expect to arrive at 10:30 where Mr. Gaskell will be waiting to bring them to Gull Bay.  They will have 4 friends accompanying them, Debbie, Heath and 2 of their children.  Bonnie and Wade were supposed to come too but Bonnie tested positive for Covid so they can go nowhere except stay home.

This morning at 11:00, Mr. Gaskell picked up Christina, Molly and Mary Frances to take them to the Halifax airport, where they will fly to Toronto to clear customs and then fly on to Atlanta.  Finally a short flight to Jackson will take them home.   They should be home in bed by 1:00am.

We had a big  switch at home in Gull Bay.  Jacky cam to clean while Anna was in charge of laundry.   Anna and I ate all the left over food from the catering.  Now the fridge is empty of catered food.  So we had a big switch  at home too.  Tomorrow we will have new company and new food coming for dinner.  I certainly enjoyed my Mississippi family.  And now I await my family and friends from Texas.  

July 10, 2022. Western Head, Nova Scotia. The Weather.

 Experienced travelers know to ignore the weather.  They just wear appropriate clothes and go.  And no one complains.  But when the weather is wonderful, a traveler is grateful.   Christina, Mary Frances and Molly have had wonderful weather almost every day.  The temperature have ben cooler than normal, in the mid 60s but the sun was shining which made everything better.  And they did not mind the coolness as they know that in Jackson, Mississippi, the days have been in the mid 90s.  Whew.

When they first arrived, the daily forecast was for several days of rain.  Once again, the weather forecaster was wrong.  One morning we had fog and rain but by the afternoon the sun came out and and it never left. The weather has been spectacular.  We have had friends visit us and never get to see the ocean due to fog and rain.  But not this year.  Every day they visited another beach.  And Molly got into the water every time.  I know that we ignore the weather, but when the weather is fine, such as this week, I am especially pleased for my guests.  That week has been perfect.  Everyone agrees.

July 9, 2022. Western Head, Nova Scotia. Local Strawberries.

 David N. came over this early to spend time with Christina and the girls.  He had met them many years ago but the girls have changed.  He brought his new dog .  And he brought all the fixings for strawberry short cake.  The dog is new to David, whose name is Maggie and is a good dog.  She never strayed off the deck.  And he brought a quart of the local strawberries  along with cake and whipped cream.  Pretty nice.

Local strawberries are about the size of the end of your thumb.  They are succulent and juicy.  And delicious.   They are not even close to the large strawberries we buy at the grocery store.  So we had a treat with a bowl full of ice cream, strawberries, cake and whipped cream.  We enjoyed meeting his new dog.  But we really did enjoy the short cake.  Of course we enjoyed seeing David but that strawberry shortcake really hit the spot.  These delicious strawberries are delicious.  

July 8, 2022. Western Head, Nova Scotia. My Back.

 Normally I do not complain or discuss my ailments.  But this time it is different.  My back has been hurting. Throughout my life, I have had no troubles with my back until now.  My back has been hurting for a week.  I have no idea how it got hurt.  Perhaps one of the chairs gives me trouble.  All I know is that my back is killing me.  

At first I used tylenol during the day.  And heat.  But my back got worse.  Finally I asked for help. I called on my trusty Norm, who heads up the pain clinic at McMaster University.  He suggested a muscle relaxer so he ordered a prescription to my local pharmacy.  Christina picked it up yesterday and I think I am a bit better.  This is the second time that Norm has bailed me out on this one trip.  Until now, I have never needed to use Norm.  The poor fellow.

And I am also using ice, not heat.  Christina looked up back problems and it seems that ice is better.  So I am using ice several times a day, plus medication for pain plus the muscle relaxer.  It all makes my legs shake but my pain is diminished.  Hurrah for Norm.  Once again he has bailed me out.  

July 7, 2022. Western Head, Nova Scotia. The First Fire.

 This afternoon, , Mary Frances made a fire in the fire pit down by the water.  This was the first fire since Covid.  Even sitting by the house on the top deck, the fire gave me great pleasure.  First off, Mary Frances is skilled at making fires so it was fun watching her go through the process of gathering the wood and organizing the preparations.  But it was even better when I could hear the crackling of the fire and the smell of the smoke.  Molly was reading so MF had the whole place to herself.  And she loved it.

Mary Frances likes making fires.  The location  for this fire pit is spectacular, right down on the lower deck and close to the water.  The late afternoon was perfect for a fire.  64 degrees and sunny with very little breeze.  Eventually Molly joined Mary Frances by the fire.  I wished I had a long lens camera because the scene with the two longe haired girls working around the fire.   It was a lovely sight for a grandmother's eyes.  Now we have held the first fire of 2022.  I feel sure it will not be the last.  

July 6, 2022. Western Head, Nova Scotia. A Shopping Spree.

Several years ago when Christina was returning to work, I gave her for Christmas gift a shopping spree in Liverpool at Lalithe, the clothing store.   Sondra opened the store 10 years ago.  I never dreamt that the place would survive, let alone thrive.  But the store is doing fine, thanks to the expertise of Sondra.  Before she retired, she worked as a personal dresser for famous people so she has a great idea for style.  And she does not want you to purchase a garment that does not look good.  So she graciously gives advice.

Tuesday was our day to shop in Sondras shop for Christmas Christmas gift from me.  .  And we did well.  Christina will go home with lovely shirts and dresses she will use at work.  A couple of pieces were selected by Sondra which Christina would have passed by.  And the girls also wee able to select a garment to take home as a memento of their visit.  Molly is delighted with her fancy leather jacket while Mary Frances select a dress for work.  We had a splendid time.  Then we celebrated by eating lunch at the Quarterdeck restaurant.

July 5, 2022. Western Head, Nova Scotia. The First Job.

 We all remember our first real job.  Now I am reliving it all with Mary Frances.  I can recall the thrill along with the anxiety that comes with the first time was given my first teaching position.  Mary Frances graduated from College in May.  Two weeks ago she was offered two positions, both in Mississippi.  It took her two days to evaluate the offers.  And finally accept the one offer that she liked the best.  I am thrilled for her.  After all, English majors  I am told have trouble getting jobs.

Mary Frances will be working in the grant department of Millsaps College in Jackson.  She begins work on July 12, the day after she returns from Nova Scotia.  She writes very well.  Now she will be  learning a whole new field, that of applying for grants.    The other offer was from the University of Mississippi publishing House but her responsibility there was a bit vague so she selected the Millsaps job.  I am so pleased for her.  And I too am excited to watch her successful career.  Hats off to Mary Frances.  She will be earning a living wage!!

July 4, 2022. Western Head, Nova Scotia. The Truck.

 The truck is old, a 1997 model.  Ten years ago the air conconditioner died.  And we left it dead.  After all, the truck worked just fine and the weather is not that hot.  So we drove it with no air conditioned air.  But last summer I got smart and repaired the system and it worked great.  But on Thursday on the way to Caledonia  we turned on the ac to discover no cool coming out the vent.  We made an appointment to take it in on Monday.

We arrived just before 1:00, our appointed time.  And after 90 minutes of waiting, discovered that the problem was the O rings.  It had cracked and leaking.  And they ended to order the part.  So on Monday morning, Anna will return the truck to Bridgewater to have the new O ring installed.  In the meantime, Christina and the girls must drive a truck with no air conditioning.  They were polite and remind me that the air is always cool here in Nova Scotia.  But I know that the truck with air conditioning is more comfortable than driving with the windows open.  But what can you do?  

July 3, 2022. Western Head, Nova Scotia. 10:00 Arrival.

 Here they are.  Christina, Mary Frances and Molly.  Today they took the ferry from Bar Harbor, Maine and arrived in Yarmouth just after 7:30, after a smooth trip on the Cat.  I was delighted to see them when Mr. G. brought them from the ferry.  They have come from a resort in Maine, where Christina's mother takes the whole extended family.  Now they will be here with me.  And I will enjoy their company.

Unfortunately Kate was unable to join them a she is newly in her new job in Greenville, SC.  They have been coming here ever since 2000 and they love it here.  So they are pleased to be back to see all the familiar spots.  The last two years they were unable to come due to Covid.  But now they are here.  And we will all have a splendid time.

July 2, 2022. Western Head, Nova Scotia. The Weather.

This morning I awoke to a world of fog.  I could see neither the ocean nor the trees.  The fog was thick.  I could have been living on an island.  And it stayed that way all morning, until almost noon when it started to rain.  At first the rain was light but it gradually increased in intensity.  Soon in the afternoon the rain was pelting on the windows because the wind had come up too.  Next came the thunder which lasted an hour.  Then gradually the rain stopped.  And soon the fog cleared a bit so I could see the ocean and the trees.  Today was a perfect day to stay at home.

When we first moved here in 1999, friends told is that if we did not like the weather, just wait because weather in Nova Scotia changes quickly.  Today was a perfect example.  I lived through fog, a rain storm, a thunder storm and finally clear skies.  And of course, the weather forecasting is difficult.  About half the time the weather man is wrong.  We have to forget the weather and just get on with our plans.  

This June has been cool which has meant that the blossoms on the trees and bushes have lasted a long time.  Very often, June has a lot of rain and fog but not this year.  It has been sunny but not very warm, which is fine for me.  But the gardeners tell me that the vegetable gardens are slow growing.  But the weather today has been interesting and I enjoyed my day alone in the fog.

July 1, 2022. Western Head, Nova Scotia. A Busy Day.

 Anna and I got a lot done yesterday.  We had a busy day.  On the way to work, she stopped to shop at the grocery store.  We had made a list of all the last minute groceries before visitors arrive.  We have a system.  We make a list, then she shops and pays for the groceries using her credit card.  When Anna arrives home here, she gives me the receipt and I give her a cheque, which she immediately deposits   into her bank, using her phone.  After putting away all the groceries and finishing our breakfast we headed into town.

But before Anna arrived here, the wood was delivered for David.  The same man has been delivering wood for David for 21 years.  The older man actually remembered David.  "A big man from Texas", he said, which was true.  I paid him in cash so our first stop in town was the bank to get me some money.  We have a system there too.  Anna uses the cash machine using my card so it is quick.

Our next task was to pick up the bikes at the outfitters, who have been checking the bikes.  One bike was too old to fix so now we have three, but all in good working order.  And along with help from the outfitters, Anna  loaded the bikes onto the back of the truck.  Our last stop was Atlantic Sands where we were picking up 4 quiche the lady baked that morning.  On the way home we stopped for mail.  And we decided to eat lunch at home as we were short of time.

When we arrived home, the lawn service people were there so I was able to talk with them.  They had not been cutting the lower lawn, nor the path to the fire pit and lower deck.  And while we were eating lunch, the man came to repair my driveway, which had eroded in spots.  After putting up my legs for an hour, Anna and I drove to Sue and Steve for lemonade.  We had had a productive day.