July 31, 2012. Western Head, NS. Wayne Johnston.

He is a fine writer, originally from Newfoundland, now living in Toronto.  Dave and Irene gave me his latest book for Christmas and I have been saving it for Nova Scotia.  Now I am enjoying it thoroughly.   "A World Elsewhere"  is the name of the book.  In this book,  Mr. Johnston  shows off his command of words, with lots of word play.  He is an author who keeps this  reader on her toes.

The book is fiction but takes place partly at Biltmore, in Asheville, NC.   The names are all changed.  The descriptions of the big house and contents makes me tour the huge property immediately.

Wayne Johnston is the author of The Colony of Unrequited Dreams, his most famous book, telling the history of Newfoundland but as a novel.    His memoir,  Baltimore's Mansion, was also well received.  He writes like an angel but an angel with a good brain.

July 30, 2012. Western Head, NS. The Olympics.

It is a good thing it comes every four years but I love watching the Olympics on TV.   Even water polo is fun especially when I can switch from station to station and return to water polo only to check the score.   Today I got to see a bit of the kayak white water competition, and yesterday the table tennis.   So far, they have shown no field hockey coverage at all, and only five minutes of badminton.   A woman from the US won the gold medal in skeet shooting, hitting 99 out of 100 targets.   All I got to see was one picture of her smiling face.

At my disposal  all day I have three channels covering the Olympics, two Canadian stations along with NBC,  so by switching from channel to another I can catch up with most action shown on TV.  I know that all events are being filmed so I dream of the time when I can just dial up whatever sport I wish to watch, not just what is being shown by the  station.   I still love watching swimming, gymnastics and diving but I want more.  

There is something about being a human being that means we are never satisfied.    I like what I am watching, but I want more coverage of the minor sports.  I am pleased to be watching the Olympics in Canada.  Next Winter Olympics I must arrange to be living in Canada too!!

July 29, 2012. Western Head, NS. Escape.

The weather was wonderful and we had no company, so Friday morning, Ken and I escaped to the cottage.     No cell phone and no iPad.   Just lovely weather at a little cottage and a good book.  I sat at the deck beside the lake and read all afternoon Friday and Saturday morning.  In the afternoon, Ken and I attended a meeting of other cottage owners, then visited our neighbors who are building an addition.   We were so pleased with our escape from the real world that we stayed another night.

But there is a problem with living at the cottage and it is all my fault.   I don't sleep very well.   I have tried to figure out why.   Perhaps the mattress is too hard, or maybe too small.     After all, we are used to sleeping in a Queen bed and at the cottage the bed is a double.  Normally, I go to bed and fall asleep immediately, but not at the cottage.   Now the bedroom is very small and I suspect that the size of the bedroom is playing tricks to my mind.  I hope I get over this sleeping issue because we enjoyed our escape to the cottage, but I also enjoy a good nights sleep, so we came home.  

July 27, 2012. Western Head, NS. David.

Yesterday was my son David's birthday.  As he was born in 1969, that makes him 43 years old.   He is as fine a son as any mother would ever want, so I am fortunate to have a son such as David.   I called to congratulate him yesterday and asked him how he enjoyed being 43.  He was at work so of course did not wish to engage in lengthy chit chat but he did comment that considering the options, he was perfectly happy to be 43.

I have had several relatives called David.  My only brother is David.   He reminded me that when I called Mother to tell her of David's birth, they were all at a cottage on Lake Joseph, at a resort called Redwood Cottage.   Now Dave and Irene and Wendy own one of the same cottages.   Everyone was excited to hear of the new birth in the family.

And my Mother had a brother named David, so I had an uncle David, who was an Anglican minister.   He was the oldest in their family.  I often wondered whether or not my parents would name any subsequent male babies after my Mother's other brothers, which were John and Joseph.  No boy babies appeared, only daughters, Carol and then Ruth, so they were never put to the test.

David is a fine name and I am grateful to have David's in my life!!

July 26, 2012. Western Head, NS. Fisherman Joe.

Fisherman Joe is shining in our front yard.   His yellow slicker is again in pristine condition, thanks to Mal.   Since Fisherman Joe was first repainted three years ago by Mal, a spot of wood on the shoulder had rotted.   The rot was removed and filled , then all repainted.   It appears that the task of keeping Fisherman Joe in good repair has now fallen permanently into Mal's lap!

Pat and Mal have visited us in Nova Scotia every year since we  moved here.  At the beginning, Mal, who is a good worker, would work along with Ken's projects, so Mal became indispensable for any project.  Now we save tasks for Mal, such as Fisherman Joe.   Also, Mal replaces any light.   He leaves with every light glowing.   It has become his first task upon arrival.

Both Ken and I enjoy Pat and Mal's company.   Pat paints while Mal works.   They are very easy and helpful guests.   Every time we drive past Fisherman Joe we are reminded of their visit.

July 25, 2012. Western Head, NS. Cocktails.

We used to have dinner together most evenings.  Now we have a drink together several times a week.  It must be that we are all getting old and don't want to work so hard cooking and cleaning for a host of people.   Or perhaps it is just that we are all spending more time here in Nova Scotia.  Whatever the reasons, we are having a good time meeting and greeting and catching up on the goings on of the group at our cocktail hour.

Tonight we had a drink at Mary and Clif's home.  The evening was wonderful so we sat on their deck enjoying the weather and each other.  Pat and Mal leave tomorrow so goodbyes were said.  We meet at 5:30 and by 7:00 we had gone home,  so for the hosts, it is an easy and pleasant way to entertain.  We get to catch up with the news of family and friends, and talk about future plans.   It was Gill who first started our practice of not serving dinner for each other.  It has been a good idea.  Neat and tidy and pleasant, all complete in an hour and a half.     We like them.

July 24, 2012. Western Head, NS. Pasta Night.

Pat and Mal took us out to dinner.   Last year, The Best Coast Coffee Gallery started a pasta night on Tuesday night.   This little restaurant has only six tables and are only open for breakfast and lunch, but every year the owners add something  to their routines.   They open five months of the year, but the two lady owners are quite sophisticated cooks.

At Pasta night, you receive a three course meal for $20.  You have three choices for the pasta and no choices for the salad and dessert.  Coffee and tea is included.   The food was excellent, with the portions not huge.  I ate chicken curry pasta.  Delicious.

Three years ago they instituted a preset dinner on Friday night.   Three courses for $30.  You must have a reservation.    You don't know until you arrive what they will be serving.   It is fun.

This year, they have added an evening of entertainment on Monday evening.  Local musicians, of which there are many, entertain from 7 to 9, with a $10. cover charge.   You can order wine or beer or tea and coffee.  I am delighted to see these two ladies thriving.  Seven years is a long time to run a restaurant, even with only six tables in Broad Cove, Nova Scotia.