September 14, 2021. Western Head, Nova Scotia. Booking Flights.

I do not recall that booking flights were so time consuming. Perhaps that is true because Ken always booked our flights. We would decide on the dates and he arranged our flights using the Internet. A couple of years before he was ill, he asked me to book our flights but I used the travel department at the Platinum card of American Express, because he suggested it to me. My vision is difficult with details on the computer screen. Ever since then, I have been making the plane arrangements by using platinim travel. And they have done a good job. But every year, my time on the phone gets longer. Now I have just completed my next journey. And it took a long time. I leave December 15 for Toronto, where I arrive at 6:15pm. I must first fly to Charlotte. Then January 1st I fly to Puerto Vallarta direct from Toronto, which is nice. Wonderful Wendy and Ken will book on the same plane, which is great for me. I leave PV on February 26, after 2 months in the condo. First I fly to Dallas and then on to Jackson. So I am all set for my next journey. I have spent time questing myself as to whether or not I should extend my visit to PV another few weeks. Finally, today I decided to go home to Jackson after 8 weeks. Next I spoke to son David to see if they would be at home in May. So instead of spending more weeks in Mexico, I will fly to Texas at the beginning of May and spend two weeks with David and Suzanne before flying to Portland to start the cruise. Now I am set. And I am delighted.

September 13, 2021. Western Head, Nova Scotia. Arena Walking.

For the first time this season, I was forced inside to walk in the hockey arena. The rain was coming down hard when we were heading into town this morning so even though we brought along our rain coat, waslking outside would have been miserable. So Anna and I went to the arena. Queens Place, also called the Emera Center, is a lovely facility. It houses the hockey rink, a walking oval at the top and a fitness center with lots of machines. It is kept clean as a whistle. During the winter months, it is well used but in the summer few people come to walk. They walk outside. Ever since it opened, we have uses the facility to walk. Gill attends the exercise classes and Clif uses the machines. But I just use the track for walking. Ken and I used the track three times a week. It was an easy place for Ken to walk because even though it is boring, it was safe. The first year I was by myself in 2019, I walked at the arena most of the time for the same reason: it was safe, with the rail close beside. Twice during the summer we walked along the river. Then last year, we walked outside along the river most of the time. Only twice did we walk inside. The same for this year. Anna and I walked along the river every Monday and Friday. The weather had been perfect to walk outside. Today walking inside was interesting. The track is a type of rubber so is easier on my legs. The path along the river is level but is cement so is hard. And because I am close to the rail, I can walk faster. So it is actually easier for me to walk in the arena rather than outside beside the river. Today I even had entertainment because people were skating on the rink, which is kept with ice all summer. But we will continue my walking outside when the weather is good because it is beautiful walking along the park and watching the gulls. But walking today was a hit and a good reminder of the Queens Place facility.

September 12, 2021. Western Head, Nova Scotia. September .

I have always enjoyed September. This is especialy true in Nova Scotia. I love the trees. Of course, the leaves do not turn their bright colors in September but you know it is coming so I anticipate what is coming. Leaves turning red and orange is a memory now but they are still vivid in my mind. In Maryland, where we lived for 40 years the leaves were beautiful too with lots of orange and bright yellows. But not many bright reds. At the farm in Pennsylvania, the whole sides of the hills were aflame with colors. It was beautiful. And I can still picture it in my mind. So when I think of September I look forward to the changing of the leaves. But mostly I like the weather. Right now, the weather is perfect, here in Nova Scotia. It is not too hot nor too cold. And mostly in September the sun shines. Today we went for lunch at The Osprey Nest. We sat outside in a covered patio with a clear plastic covering one wall to protect us from the stiff breeze. It was delightful. I felt like baby bear. And at the shore of Western Hed there is just a wiff of coolness in the breeze, reminding me that cool weather will soon follow, telling me that I must soon follow the birds and head south. I love September but it does remind me to move along. But at the moment, I am enjoying the perfect weather of September.

September 11, 2021. Western Head, Nova Scotia. A Dinner Party.

This evening we officially welcomed Pat and Mal to Western Head. I invited Gill, Mary & Clif for dinner to my house. Of course, as I no longer cook, entertaining is difficult, but I manage. Hunts Point Market who is catering for me this summer did the cooking. And with Mal carrying the food and making up the plates we did just fine. The market cooked trout almindine and rice along with a coleslaw salad. The fish was delicious. And for dessert we ate blueberry pie, baked by Heather. We nibbled on cheese and crackers before dinner. And we drank a glass of wine sitting in the living room. Pat, Mal and I laughed the day before when we were figuring out the logistics of the dinner. Our problem was that Pat, Clif and I are not really able to carry plated of food. Fortunately, Gill, Mary and Mal did all the lifting and the carrying of the plates. And as usual, Mal loaded the dishwasher. I planned as much as possible early in the day. I set the table and filled the water glasses. And Pat cut up the cheese. So with everyone helping out, we had a successful dinner party. But I could not have done it myself. Now Pat and Mal are officially welcomed.

September 10, 2021. Western Head, Nova Scotia. Finally, the Surfers are Happy.

All yesterday the waves were crashing on the shore. I could tell that the waves were high but the fog was so thick you could not even see the water. All night the water roared but this morning it was still foggy. Surfing in the fog is dangerous but for all we knew, the surfers were out in the water. But this afternoon the sun sent away the fog and the surfers came out in droves. The waves were big and noisy and the causeway was lined with the cars of surfers. Finally, Gull Bay was welcoming surfers. We are having the remnants of Tropical Storm Larry. Our seas were high. And the waves were beautiful. We sat on the deck late this afternoon admiring the waves and the surfers. The wind was coming from the land so as the large waves crested, a high rooster tail flew off the top on the waves. And they kept coming. The sun was shining brightly which it made it difficult to see the surfers. But we managed. And the waves were so noisy we had difficulty hearing each other. The waves are still crashing. I hope the surfers will get another chance tomorrow. They have waited so long for the big waves to appear. Today the sulfers were happy and so were we.

September 9, 2021. Western Head, Nova Scotia. Pat & Mal.P

Pat & Mal have come to visit. They are friends of long standing. You might say we are old friends. In truth, we are all old. I have probably known Pat most of my life. But the most important thing is we are still friends now. Last year was the only time they have not visited us in Nova Scotia since we first moved here. Mal was always a big help working along with Ken at any project of the time. Ken always had projects. Now Mal replaces any and all burned out lights. You have no idea how helpful that is. Since they arrived about 6:00 this evening we have been talking and catching up with the past two years. Of course due to Covid they were unable to come in 2020. But they are here now and I will enjoy their company. They are staying in the Guest House. They often are here at the same time as Dave & Irene who stay in the Guest House so Pat & Mal stay in the main house with me. But they will enjoy the guest house where Pat often paints from that deck. Our dinners will be delivered from Hunts Point Market. Mal organized the heating and the serving of dinner. And he loaded and started the dishwasher. He is a very helpful fellow. So here we go. I will enjoy the next two weeks with Pat & Mal. And they are delighted to be here.

September 8, 2021. Western Head, Nova Scotia. A Spectacular Lunch.

Larry and Jan invited me for lunch, along with Walt, Mary and and Gill. Larry is an excellent cook so I knew lunch would be good but lunch today exceeded all expectations. Their home on Main Street in town is beautiful so we started with the lovely setting. Our starting time was 1:00 and we left well after 4:00. And we nibbled and talked the whole time. We started with assorted cheeses and crackers along with green grapes. We six sipped on either wine or water while we talked. We were to be eating a Belgium meal, prepared by Larry. When we moved to the dining room we found a large platter of totatoes, basel, chives and mazarello cheese on a bed of lettuce. It was Gills favorite salad. We enjoyed every bite. Along with the salad we ate fresh bread. Next in the center of the table was a large deep platter of mussels cooked in a wine and butter sauce. We each filled our bowl of mussels and we dug in. To the mussels in our bowl was added small french fries cooked in the oven. Evidently, in Belgium french fries are always served with mussels. We ate and ate those mussels and french fries until we were full. For dessert we returned to the living room for squares of lemon and dates, which were a perfect ending to the spectacular lunch. I felt fortunate to be invited by Larry and Jan.