December 7, 2021. Madison, Mississippi. Pearl Harbor.

I have always thought that Japan made a stupid mistake by bombing Pearl Harbor. Within 6 months, the US had built the largest navy in the world, greater than all other countries combined, including our allies and our enemies. Up until the bombing of Pearl Harbor, the attitude in the US was to continue to isolate themselves from the war. But the bombing changed everything. This bombing occured 70 years ago on December 7th. Many folks remember my birthday because it was the day before Pearl Harbor. This evening on TV, Dr. Hanson discussed Pearl Harbor. He is an expert on the Second World War. He reminded everyone that the attack was unannounced. No declaration of war by the Japanese and no warning. According to him, the Japanese expected to turn the Pacific Ocean over to the Japanese and the US would continue to be isolationists. But they were wrong. Evidently, there was to be 2 bombing raids but the Japanese thought that the whole American fleet had been demolished after the first bombing run. Again they were wrong. Several American Commanders took their ships out to sea, thus saving their ship. And after the President spoke, calling December the day of infamy, the citizens rallied around the president. And the US entered the Second World War. I have often wondered what would have happened if the Japanese had not bombed Pearl Harbor. And I also wonder what would have happened if the Germans had not attacked Russia. Of course, when dealing with crazy people, they do crazy things. But we know the end of the story. I have asked myself this question: "What were they thinking?" Both actions started their demise. This all happened 70 years ago.

December 6, 2021. Madison, Mississippi. My Birthday.

Today is the most important day of my life. It was the day I was born. I was born in Toronto, Ontario, Canada because my parents were in charge of the Dovercourt Corps of The Salvation Army. Evidently, I was an easy baby, which is often the way with a third child. My father called me sunshine. Now, 84 years later, I am an easy adult. And I retain my sunny disposition, which has been a great blessing all my life. Today was a splendid day. My friend Linda came to visit me this morning at 10:30, to help me celebrate and to drink a cup of tea. Next I went out for lunch with friend Lisa. We ate at a Greek restaurant new to me. Great food and good conversation. Lisa both picked me up and drove me home. First thing this morning, Kashina and I drove to Packmail, to send the Texas Christmas gifts On the way home we stopped at Walgreen pharmacy where Kashina selected the last gifts for the Mississippi bag of goodies. Teresa my cleaning lady cleaned the house, which on a birthday is a real treat. The rest of the day I either talked on the phone to the important people in my life or I read e mails and texts. Modern communication is a real joy. So my day has been lovely and I have gotten to enjoy being 84. So far so good.

December 5, 2021. Madison, Mississippi. Birthday Celebrations.

Tomorrow is my birthday. I will turn 84. Today we celebrated at our family brunch by eating at Manships Restaurant, perhaps the best restaurant in Jackson. Kate, Mary Frances, Molly and Christine were all in the mood to celebrate and celebrate we did. They serve an appitizer complete with smoked salmon, nuts, avacado and a few other things. Ususally we order one , but today we ordered two. And we ate the whole thing. Now that is called celebrating. And after eating our main meals, we ate dessert. It is not often you turn 84. In life, the little things often bring the greatest pleasure and being together with the girls beaming with joy certainly gave me great pleasure. Christina brings me home after brunch. Today we took Molly home to study and to pick up my birthday gift. Christina made the first cranberry cake for thanksgiving at the farm when Kate was 4 and Mary Frances was a baby. Christina has been making that cranberry cake for me every year. The cake is delicious and I like it very much. Also she helped me with several things that were difficult for me. And she did them all. I appreciate Christina's competance and I appreciate her willingness to help. This hour attending to my requests was another birthday gift. The celebrations have not ended. Tomorrow Linda Creath is coming for coffee. And I will have lunch with Lisa at the Strawberry Cafe. Nifty turning 84.

December 4, 2021. Madison, Mississippi. Global Warming.

The earth has been cooling and heating ever since our world has formed. The hysteria concerning our human impact of a warming world is the issue. But what is never written are the positive impacts of a warmer world. In past centuries, many people died trying to find the Nort West Passage. Now, for some summers, the passage is open, but you never hear about that event. Commercial vessels can sometimes ship cargo across the top of the globe thus saving thousands of dollars for avoiding the expensive Panama Canal. Cruise ships are taking bookings to go throught the Northwesr Passage. This is a good thing. Even Wester Head is more pleasant in th summer. When we first moved we were told that Western Head was too cold and we would never be able to sit on our new deck. It is true that we are at least 10 degrees cooler than Liverpool, but that too is a good thing. While people in town swelter at 85, we are comfortable at 75. So Western Head has now gotten trendy. The limit of crops has snuck up too. The farmers can grow their crops furthur north. Not a lot. But a little. The animals and the birds have always adapted or evolved with the changing of the weather.. They either adapt of become extinct. We find fossils of animals are now extinct. They lived and died long before humans roamed the land. Yet the doomsayers are constantly telling us that humans are causing global warming which will make extinct birds and animals. I am not buying it. Much impact of a warmer world is positive. But no one ever admits this. I enjoyed sitting outside for lunch yesterday. I am a fan of global warming.

December 3, 2021. Madison, Mississippi. A Splendid Day.

Today was exactly the same as a good summer day in Nova Scotia. The sun was shining with not a cloud in the sky. The tempersture was 75 degrees. And this was December 3rd. My neighbor and I went out for lunch, something we planned a month ago. We decided that due to the weather, we would eat at a restaurant with outdoor seating overlooking the reservoir. The place we selected was fairly new, across the spillway and a place I had only been to once. But Donna and her husband had dined there many times but always by boat. The restaurant has a large dock area so when they were boating or fishing, they came to that reataurant for lunch. During the Covid when restaurants had no indoor seating, they put tables up and down the large dock area so people could be distanced from everyone, which I thought was clever. The menu today was interesting so I will want to return. My lunch was delicious. But the best part was that I brough home with me an avacado stuffed with frest tuna, which I ate at supper time. Hit the spot. My day got started with coffee with friend Greta Barbour at 8:30. She intended to go Christmas shopping today so she started her day with me by bringing two cups of coffee, which we both enjoyed. I always like her company. That was a perfect way to begin my splendid day.

December 2, 2021. Madison, Mississippi. Tea With Friends.

This morning my friends Eleanor and Jim came to visit. Yesterday afternoon Eleanor texted to ask if they could come for coffee at 10:00 on Thursday. Jim was not working today so he wanted to come too which pleased me. I had seen Eleanor since my return in October but I had not yet seen Jim. Coming to see me is an act of kindness. They live in the country so just getting here makes for a 45 minute drive. It turned out that we did not drink coffee. Jim had had his fill of coffee already and Eleanor joined me with a cup of tea, using a pod to make the English Breakfast tea. I had set out a variety of nuts but we ate not a thing. They brought a beautiful large poinsettia which now looks perfect on the hearth. It was the first of the season and will probably be my last as I leave on December 15. All we did was talk. It was Eleanor who first suggested I ask Chris to take me for my excursions so they wanted to know where we had gone. So I gave them a blow by blow. And they were not up to speed with my health so I needed to bring them up to date. We talked about the Christmas music, which I will not be able to attend due to my immune system. And finally we talked about their four children. They stayed until 12:30. I enjoyed their company for sure. Before I leave town, I have been invited to their house so I can see their home decorated for Christmas. We just must make a date. My friends indulge me by visiting. And I am grateful.

December 1, 2021. Madison, Mississippi. Outing # 3.

The Delta holds a special place in the heart of all Mississippians. I am not sure why. Today Chris and I went to the Delta to see two potters but we only visited one. We had a great day but we ran out of time to visit the second potter. The day was perfect with full sunshine and 72 degrees. And we enjoyed driving in the Delta, which is flat. Ken and I have driven in the Delta several times and for our money, the most important fact is the land. It is flat. Perfectly flat. No hills. No valleys. Just flat. Everytime I see the Delta I forget. Today I remembered. The Delta is flat from just above Vicksburg to almost the state border, it is called the Delta and it is flat. Christ always drives on highways less travelled. Our route was lovely, driving through country roads and many farms. We were heading to Marigold, the home and business of the most well known potter in Mississippi. We were intending to go to Bayou Mound, where Petters Pottery can be found but we ran out of time. The name of the potter escapes me but his place was interesting. The store inself did not have a huge inventory. But what they had on display was beautiful. Behind the little store is a garden with lots of places to sit to enjoy the birds and fountains. I could have bought lots of those beautiful objects but I restrined myself and purchases only two, both to be given away. Evidently they sell out every day even though there is not a sign to be found outside. Another person commented to me that you need to have a bit of magic just to find the place. The family also runs a charming little restaurant just around the corner in the tiny town. No sign there either. The place was quiet and restful and the food was excellent. After lunch, we headed home, returning the same way we arrived, on the small highways. Even then, we arrived home at 4:30, having left at 10:00. I love to drive the backroads of Mississippi and Chris is happy to indulge me. He also enjoyed the day. Today was another successful outing, today driving the Mississippi Delta. I enjoyed every minute.