July 31, 2018. Western Head, Nova Scotia. Mary and Clifton.

Last evening, Mary and Cliffie came to dinner to visit with us and to see Dave and Irene. Our dinner was pleasant as often happens with old friends. Ken and I have been friends with Mary and Clif since 1971. We went down the Grand Canyon together in little wooden dories and we travelled to Alaska together with Wendy and Clausen. And for years we spent a week at Nags Head the last week of May along with the children. They are good friends so dinner together was delightful. And as Dave and Irene have visited us every year in Nova Scotia they are friends too. Nothing like spending time with old friends. We differ politically so we do not discuss politics. In fact we are different in many ways. But we are friends. We have watched their children grow up and thrive so every time we see them we must catch up with their boys and grandchildren. Perhaps that is what binds us together. We love them dearly. When the four families bought and built homes next to us eighteen years ago, Mary commented that what we are doing is putting us in a place where every summer we will watch each other die. We all laughed and agreed. But decided that there are worse things than being with friends as we ebb away. But we are all enjoying ourselves and each other at Western Head. Last nights dinner was a perfect example.

July 30, 2018. Western Head, Nova Scotia. The Look.

The whole look of Nova Scotia is different, which is one of the things that appeals to us. Start with the foliage. The trees are small compared to the trees of Mississippi and Maryland. Even the tallest trees are not very tall. When the place was first settled by the French in the 17th century, the pine trees were tall and wide. But when they were cut down, the trees that have grown since have not grown to the same height. I have no reason why. And there are flowers everywhere. The growing season is short so every home is loaded with blossoms. The dogwoods last in bloom for over a month. The look of the shrubs are different too. When we are in Nova Scotia, we know we are in someplace else. The weather is different too. Ever since we have arrived we have seen fog. Every day the horizon was no where in sight due to the fog. But today, all day, the air was clear. And it was beautiful. The air on the shore is always a little cool. And we always have a breeze. Today the temperature at home was 75 degrees. Tonight it will be 60. Last evening Ken and I had trouble going to sleep but when Ken opened windows so we could listen to the waves we fell asleep immediately. Not only the look but also the feel is different here in Liverpool, Nova Scotia. A few days ago, I asked Ken if he is pleased that we came this summer to Western Head. Very few people were pleased to have us leaving Mississippi. But Ken responded to my question to tell me that he loves the fact that everything here is different. And everything in the house and property is personal. And different. So Ken is delighted to be here, And so far we are both thriving. Living here is good for both your health and spirits. The look and feel is so different...and delightful.

July 29, 2018. Western Head, Nova Scotia. Paul's Bistro.

Drama in the kitchen today. At 1:30 we four arrived at Paul's German restaurant. No one was in the restaurant itself but the deck was full. One waitress was looking after everyone. She graciously took us to a table and brought us menus and water. We had eaten at Paul's several time so we knew Hans, the very German cook and owner of the restaurant. Paul is the owner of the building, which is a little house. So we drank our water and read the menu. While we were waiting, the waitress was scurrying out to the deck with food as well as having the customers pay their bills. While we were waiting, four people arrived to have lunch and selected a table close to the kitchen. We all noticed them because they were very heavy. And as they passed by us, one man commented that he had forgotten his wallet. So we waited and then we ordered. And we waited. The waitress walked with a heavy step. We had all noted it. She burst in from the deck, stomping into the kitchen and spoke loudly and crossly to the cook. He answered back with an angry voice. The waitress stomped out to the deck and again came back with more angry words to Hans, both of them speaking loudly, screaming with each other. I thought the waitress would leave but she stayed. But the four over weight people quietly and quickly left the restaurant. They decided that this place was not a good p[lace today. Ugly words were said in loud voices. Drama in the kitchen over heard by us. Eventually we got our dinner, which was delicious. But we were served our meal at 2:45. Ken was famished. It turned out that the new machine for credit cards was not working properly so the waitress was having difficulty having the customers pay their bill. She walked into the kitchen and angrily threw the machine onto the work counter, which made Hans angry. Words were exchanged. It did cross my mind that I could help them with some words to manage their anger. But we just laughed and drank our water. And we four thanked our lucky stars that we do not run a small restaurant. It is not often you get to hear first hand the drama in the kitchen.

July 28, 2018. Western Head, Nova Scotia. Update.

Today we are without a helper. Katie comes five days a week so today we are on our own.. This afternoon Ken walked by himself to his workshop and poked around for a bit. Then he walked back to our home and walked around Fisherman Ken both to admire it and to look over the plantings. When Ivan installed the statute he also cleared out the plantings and exposed the rocks, so Ken was anxious to check it out. Our day went well with no problems. The Internet has been giving us trouble. Joey came to fix it up this week but last night it quit. Eastlink told me that we are getting a signal to our house so our router must be the problem. Unfortunately Joey does not work on the weekend. Ken turned the router off and on a couple of times and it started working but now it has quit. We will see if my little blog will publish. If not, I will save it. Many folks have suggested that we should stay home but Ken commented last night that everything is so different that he is energetized by the place. So far, we both are pleased we are here. And we are enjoying being with Dave and Irene. Had we not come to Nova Scotia we would never have been able to see them. So far, so good. And Ken is thrilled when he sees Fisherman Ken. It by itself was worth the journey. Now we will keep our fingers crossed.

July 27, 2018. Western Head, Nova Scotia. White Point.

The resort has been in business since 1928. Now it is bigger and better than ever. Ever since we moved here we have made use of White Point despite the spotty food and service. We loved the beach and the view and the rabbits. The grandchildren loved the indoor pool with the hot tub. They would swim in the cold ocean then run to the hot tub to warm up before playing in the indoor pool. And they have lots of activities for children. The main building was old as were the cabins overlooking the water. We put up with all the old stuff because they had a terrific location. Several years ago the main lodge burned down. The new one is in a similar style, but better. And they added an executive chef. Now the food is excellent and the service top drawer. We four went there for lunch this week. We all agreed that the new is better than the old. They must be doing something right because the place is packed. The parking lot was full and one office girl told me that they are booked solid all summer. They now stay open all year. White Point is our favorite spot to dine even though the dining room is noisy. Next time we will arrive at 1:30 rather than 12:30. An adjacent table of 18 were noisy. Three generations of the family were spending the week there and the children were delightful but excited. Thus noisy. Sometimes it takes a big fire to make improvements. After all, in order to have a rainbow you must first have fain. We feel fortunate to be living close to White Point.

July 26, 2018. Western Head, Nova Scotia. Mystery Meals.

Every afternoon, a young woman comes into our garage and puts items in the refrigerator. She drives to us from Mill Village. Our dinner of the night is contained in the pots and pans that have been placed in our fridge, along with a paper telling us what we will eat that night, with the directions for reheating. The food comes already cooked. All we must do is heat it up and serve the plates. Normal people might not like not knowing what the caterer will serves us for dinner, but we love it. Every evening we eat a mystery meal. This is the third year we have hired the same caterer. Our system of not knowing our meals started by accident. David organized the caterer the first year. They were so slow in sending David menus he told them to just select food and deliver the food, which they did. We were a table of 18 every night. It did not matter what we would be eating but it certainly mattered that the food was delivered. The system worked so we continued the routine. They decide our meals and then cook and deliver the dinners. Fortunately the food has been excellent, so we are happy. And we have fun wondering what will be brought to us each day. Our dinners are delivered five days a week. We are on our own on the weekend. All this week we have enjoyed our dinners. If we are having company I just tell them the number the day before. We leave the pans and dishes in the garage which they pick up when they deliver. Our system is fun for us and also for them. They always buy fresh that day, so they enjoy figuring out what to cook for us that night, depending on the fish or the meat available. Mystery Meals work for us!!

July 25, 20189. Western Head, Nova Scotia. The Emira Center.

Yesterday for the first time, we visited the Emira Center. The place is wonderful. It is clean and cool, which on a hot day brings pleaasure. The idea of building a new hockey arena was controversial, especially when they added a fitness center and a walking track. Despite the hostility, the arena was built and is super. In the center of the building is the hockey rink. The ice is kept in all summer, which keeps the place cool. Skating is open many days a week and hockey teams practice and skate through the summer. Big events are held in the arena too. The ice is covered with wood and chairs installed. A Hank Snow concert will be held this weekend. Around the top of the ice arena they put in a walking track, made of rubber so it is easy on the legs and joints. Walt and Mary walked there every day through the winter and have continued in the summer. The track is level and safe and cool. The whole place does not look like a hockey arena. It looks fancy and clean. Although the Center is five years old, yesterday was the first day that Ken and I went to walk their track. Katey drove us and walked with Ken while I just walked. Just over 4 loops equals one kilometer. I can walk well when the ground is level and am not far from a wall. Ken is the same. He also did his exercises at the center. Today we went again. We were both pleased. Dave and Irene go and work out in the afternoons in the fitness center while we go in the morning. They are also pleased with the cleanliness and their modern machines. As Dave said, "The place does not look or feel at all like a hockey arena". Liverpool is fortunate to have this lovely facility. I only hope it stays solvent.