Dear Neighbor . . .

 

(source)

 JULY 10, 2026

Estate Lane

Nova Scotia

15*C/59*F

Mostly sunny

Dear Neighbor,

Its a beautiful and sunny day out there this morning, if a bit cool. Really high winds are expected this afternoon. I hope we don't all blow away.  Once again I have experienced another night without any sleep at all. Oh, I think I might have finally fallen asleep about 5 a.m. but was up at a little past 7 because the cats needed feeding and have stayed up since. I will try to grab a nap later in the morning.

I don't know why this is happening.  I hardly ever get a night like that, but two in one week, that is a new record. It usually only happens when I have something really important to do the next day like fly, or give a talk, etc. My anxiety levels must be high at the moment.  I am scheduled to give a talk at church a week from Sunday and this has me pondering cancelling it, which is something I really don't want to do, but I just might have to and it is better to do it sooner than later so that they have a chance to get someone else in to do it.

 

(source)

Doug and his family got home safe and sound yesterday. They messaged me last night to let me know.  That is quite a long drive, a good 7 hours I would say. They are a family that stops to look at balls of string. That's a good thing. I love that.  They spend lots of time doing things with the boys. I think that's great!

Josh is working at a garlic farm this summer that is owned by someone in Kayla's family.  He brought me a packet of black garlic so I am working on finding a way to use it that is delicious. I have been told that it tastes like chocolate. I don't know about that. It is supposed to be quite delicious however. It is a fermented garlic product.

I should share some with Cindy. She likes fermented foods.

 

(source)

Eileen messaged me this morning to tell me that she was going with a group to a orchard farm today. I think it is probably Dempsey Corner Orchard.  She was looking forward to that.  Earlier this week they had a picnic at the seaside.  Yesterday she messaged me to tell me that she and a few friends were going out to supper at the Chinese place in town and then she was going to the drugstore to pick up some feminine hygiene things and then home.  

This move has been really good for her.  She has been walking every day, which is a good thing.  Tomorrow they have a People's First Pride event down in Lawrencetown at the fair grounds. This is where she was going to sell some of her diamond art.  I don't know if that is still the plan or not.  She will be coming here afterwards, later in the day, to spend the night.  I will go to pick her up.  It will be movie night. I think this week we plan on watching The Parent Trap, the one with Haley Mills.

She has a date for her next procedure, and it is not the hysterectomy. It is for a biopsy on the 11th of August. She will be coming here afterwards to stay as she is not allowed to be on her own for 24 hours as she is being put under for the procedure. (Her choice.)  I am not sure when they are going to do the hysterectomy.

This has certainly been a rough year so far in many ways. It is certainly a year we will not forget in a hurry as much as we might like to!

 

(source)

Cindy brought dad over yesterday morning so he could have a shower.  She doesn't have a walk in shower in her place and it is too difficult for him to be able to step into a bathtub now.  I am grateful for a walk in shower and that I am able to share it with dad.  He felt like a million bucks afterwards.  It is quite a process now because of his mobility problems. 

First he has to get down the stairs at my sister's and then into the car, and then from the car into my house and then all the way to the bathroom at the back. I had my walker for him to get from the door to the bathroom and he had his usual walker to get from the car to my door and from my door to the car, etc. After all of that he is quite tired to be honest. Its a lot of work for him.

Today Cindy will be taking him to the mall with his friend Maryann. I probably won't go because of my lack of sleep from last night. By that time of the day I will be really tired for sure and I don't want to risk driving.

I will have to try to take myself to Walmart in the morning tomorrow to get what I need. (dread dread dread) It's the only place I can get the cat food my cats eat, or should I say the cat food that Cinnamon will eat. Nutmeg will eat just about anything. He's not fussy although both of them are not fond of salmon for some reason.

 

(source)

I have to go and renew my driving license before my birthday. I must remember to do that next week. I don't recall having to do that in the past, but it could just be that I don't remember it. Cindy says everyone has to do it every five years. I can't believe that I don't remember that. In any case I must go and get it done next week before I forget. (Which is a real possibility in my case. I have a brain like a sieve.)

I never drove very much at all when I lived in the U.K. It was not something I was very comfortable with. Everything was on the opposite side of the car and they drove on the opposite side of the road. Plus the roads were super busy and much narrower.  I have always been somewhat of a nervous driver. I am probably one of those people who annoys other drivers because I stick to the speed limit. I have never liked using cruise control. I like to be in control when I am driving and am not comfortable with my car being in control. I'm not even sure how it works. 

Anyways, time to get my license renewed. 

And with that I will end this off now. I don't really have much else to say this morning and I am really tired so I will leave you now with a thought to carry with you . . . 

A thought to carry with you . . . 

☾ ° ★° * 。  
° 。 ° ˛˚˛ * _Π_____*。*˚
˚ ˛ •˛•˚ */______/~＼。˚ ˚ ˛
˚ ˛ •˛• ˚ ｜ 田田 ｜門 ★
• ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ • •。★★ 。* 。

*Being creative is not a hobby,

it's a way of life.

~unknown

In The English Kitchen today, Basil Parmesan Salmon.  I couldn't cook myself fish the whole time Eileen was living with me as she can't stand it, so I cooked myself a lovely piece of salmon yesterday. This was simple and delicious!

I hope you really enjoy your day today. I am going to head for a nap after this.  Hopefully I sleep better tonight.  

Whatever you get up to today, don't forget!

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⊰✿░G░O░D⊰✿⊰L░O░V░E░S⊰✿⊰░Y░O░U░⊰✿

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And I do too!    

   

My Favorite Things . . .

 

Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens . . . these are some of the things in life that I enjoy, and which make me happy, inspire me, or put a smile on my face. Maybe some of them are yours too.  Let's share!

 

(source)

Could they be any cuter. Cats. Red and white toadstools  . . . 

 

(source)

Summer light  . . . 

 

(source)

Pink pom poms  . . . 

 

(source)

Wicker baskets full of goodies  . . . 

 

(source)

A cottage by the sea  . . . 

 

(source)

Something to drink and a good book . . . 

 

(source)

New Potatoes  . . .  so earthy and sweet . . . 

 

(source)

Chickens and roosters  . . . 

 

(source)

Nasturtiums . . . 

 

 

(source)

Garden peas  . . . 

 

(source)

Cottage charm  . . . .

 

(source)

The European Gold Finch  . . .  had these in my garden all the time over there  . . . 

 

(source)

Jugs filled with blooms and berries  . . . 

 

(source)

Naturally beautiful  . . . 

 

(source)

Little houses where you least expect them  . . . 

 

(source)

A plate wreath . . . 

 

(source)

Pink and white  . . . 

 

(source)

The Princess and the Pea  . . . 

 

(source)

Fresh beans  . . . 

 

(source)

Pastry?  Jam?  yes please  . . . 

And those are my favorite things for this week  . . .  maybe some of them were yours too!

A thought to carry with you  . . . 

☾ ° ★° * 。  

• ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ • •。★★ 。* 。
° 。 ° ˛˚˛ * _Π_____*。*˚
˚ ˛ •˛•˚ */______/~＼。˚ ˚ ˛
˚ ˛ •˛• ˚ ｜ 田田 ｜門 ★

*It was only a sunny smile,
and little it cost in the giving,
But like morning light,
it scattered the night,
and made the day worth living.
~F. Scott Fitzgerald

In The English Kitchen today  . . .  Easy Taco Stuffed Shells. An old family favorite. All the flavors of a taco tucked into large pasta shells and topped with your favorite taco toppings.

Doug and Jake ended up coming for a short visit yesterday afternoon. It was a nice surprise. Kayla was still not well so they delayed their leaving until today. It's their wedding anniversary today. 22 years. Happy Anniversary to them! 

I hope you have a lovely Thursday.  Be happy. Be blessed. Keep yourself cool and don't forget!

═══════════ღೋƸ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒღೋ═════════════ 

⊰✿░G░O░D⊰✿⊰L░O░V░E░S⊰✿⊰░Y░O░U░⊰✿

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And I do too!    

   

Wednesday Witterings . . .

 

(source)

 

Morning everyone. I am coming to you from warm, slightly humid, Nova Scotia. It's 20*C/68*F at 7 am. and it says on my weather app that it is humid with a humidex of 94%. That is all Greek to me. I don't know at all what it means. I don't feel sticky or uncomfortable and I don't have my heat pump on bringing in cool air. That might change as the day goes on. I find it very comfortable in here.

I slept the sleep of the dead last night. I was in bed by 8:30 and asleep by 9:30 and did not really wake up until quarter past six this morning. I think I got up once to go to the loo, but that is it. I was very tired. Monday night is the first time in a very long time that I can recall not sleeping at all. I think the last time was when I flew home from the U.K. before my mom's last cancer surgery. I didn't sleep the whole night before I left the U.K. and the whole journey was a nightmare with missed flights, etc.

Not an experience I would ever want to have again. Thankfully this time I didn't have to fly anywhere.

 

(source)

Eileen had her appointment yesterday and they will be booking her in for a hysterectomy in 4 to 6 weeks time.  She was told to stop taking the pills which help to control the bleeding, but also given a prescription to fill in case the bleeding starts again. So all being well, this part of what's going on should be taken care of by the end of August at the latest.  They will do a biopsy at that time as well.

I just keep praying that they will be able to get all of whatever this is and that it won't have spread to any other organs.  She will be allowed to stay with me during her recovery which is good.  Not that she doesn't want to be with her dad, but  . . .  things are not all that comfortable there because of you know who.

 

(source)

Doug and his family stopped by for a visit yesterday afternoon. Camp is all over with and they all enjoyed it very much. Its always a good sign when boys that age don't mind travelling with their parents. (20, 17 and 15) They didn't stay too long as his wife was not feeling well. She had a headache and was feeling nauseous. Perhaps heat related.  In any case, it was lovely to see them all and spend some time with them. They are leaving to go back to the Island today. I pray they have a safe journey. 

There has been quite a few accidents in this area lately. One right here in town not too far from Eileen's apartment. A motorcyclist who unfortunately perished. I happened to go to Eileen's right after it happened that day and saw all of the emergency vehicles. 

In any case I hope that they have a safe and uneventful journey home. I hope I don't have to wait too long before I get to see them again. Doug said that he and Jon might come over again later in the year like they did last year, which would be nice.

 

(source)

I did make it next door to Jeannette's birthday get-together yesterday which was nice.  I didn't stay too long as Doug was coming, but I was able to give her a card and have a bit of cake, which was very nice. All of the ladies on the street, bar 2, were there so it was nice to get to meet some of them as well. There were even a few gals from the next street there.

Old ladies talk. About everything.  I'm not going to outright call it Gossip, but  . . . 

In any case I stayed a short and then came back home to wait for Doug. The important thing is that I went.  Doug said he saw all of the walkers lined up in front of the gate, lol.

 

(source)

In the utter stillness she heard the tinkle of the fountain, and smelled the roses whose blossoms hung rich and motionless. So she drifted, drifted on the wistful feet of beauty, past the water and the swans, to the noble park, where, underneath a great oak, a doe all dappled lay with her four feet together, her fawn nestling sun-coloured beside her.

Oh, and this doe was her familiar. It would talk to her, because she was a magician, it would tell her stories as if the sunshine spoke. ~ D. H. Lawrence, from The Rainbow, 1914

The deer rarely cross through my sister's yard these days. They used to always have deer in the yard as the river is across the road and down the slope.  The deer would cross over there to go to the river to drink. The new neighbor across the way has put up all sorts of fencing now as he has a bit of a mini farm going so the deer can no longer get to the river by that way. They cross over somewhere else. 

Eileen and I saw a doe in a field on the way over to her apartment one day a week or two ago. It was just standing in the field. It's not often you will see such a thing here in town, but also some bears have been sighted not too far from Eileen's apartment. (I have not told her that!) There was some footage on the local FB page yesterday of the sighting.  There was also a man walking through the town armed yesterday afternoon as well. I don't know how true that is. Some said it was a water gun, others said not. But there were photos of the local police patrolling, which is not something you see very often, if at all.

 

(source)

Summer is perfect now.

The wheat says so, when in the dawn it drips with half-an-hour's rain and gleams like copper under the fresh, dim sky; it cries aloud the same when it crackles in the midday sun, and the golden sea of it washes murmurously to the feet of the hills.

In the hedges and fields the agrimony wands and mullein staves, the climbing vetch, the cushioned bird's-foot lotus, the myriads of ragwort and sow thistle, are golden too.

The meadowsweet and honeysuckle flowers and the wild carrot seeds give out sweet scents, but not so strong as not to be drowned, when the wind blows, by a thousand lesser scents from field and wood and farmyard.

Wood pigeons coo in the high-shaded storeys of the beeches and in the wet willow copses where bushes and herbage have grown so dense that hardly a bird's-nester or a lover would care to penetrate them  In the dark wood alleys, all day long, hang insects whose wings seem to be still in their swiftness, like golden lamps.

The gardens have amber lilies, fuchsia trees, phloxes, poppies, hollyhocks, carnations, snap-dragons, rockets and red flax rising above rose of Sharon and lemon-scented balm and yellow stone-crop, where the tortoise-shell butterflies worship with opening wings.

And on the garden walls the purple plums ooze and heave in the sun with yellow wasps that give  touch of horror to the excellent and abounding life of perfect summer.

~Edward Thomas, from The Heart of England, 1906 

As I read this on this summer morning, I was reminded of my walks up to the Manor kitchen from the cottage on summer days. I used to love those walks. The sun not having long since risen above the tall hedges which separated the manor grounds from the cottage grounds. Dew would be sparkling on the grass and settled along cobwebs which seemed to spring up overnight, and the birds would be singing,  a slight mist rising from the lush green of the grass.

All the wild roses that grew along the stone walls would be in bloom, the heat from the day to come not having yet settled in the air. It really was such a beautiful environment to live and to work in. 

I remember one day discovering a plum orchard the other side of the decorative hedge that separated the tennis courts from the main grounds. The trees were just loaded with deep purple plums . . .  some of them burst open and abuzz with wasps feasting on their sticky sweetness. I went to the house and got a large pot and went back to gather some of the plums to make jam, and I do recall baking a particularly delicious plum cake.

There is many a day when I really miss England.  The beauty and peace that came from living in such a rural area. We were just bordering the South Downs, and it really was lush.

That beauty cannot compete however with the joy of now living near my family. I am grateful for having had the opportunity, but as well, I am grateful now to be nestled back in the warm bosom of my loved ones.

 

(source)

Eileen was excited when I spoke to her this morning. They are all going on a picnic up to the seaside in Port George today.  She was looking forward to that. It will be nice and cool up there with a breeze coming from the water. It is always quite a bit cooler on the shores of the Bay of Fundy.  It's quite nice to sit there and look over the bay. On a clear day in Margaretsville you can see an Island out there in the bay.

The is Isle Haute. Located about 32 km across the Bay of Fundy, this uninhabited, 100 meter-high, flat-topped island is famous for its steep basalt cliffs, rich birdlife, and local pirate legends. Because Isle Haute sits in the upper, wider portion of the bay, weather and sea mist can sometimes cause it to appear as though it is floating above the water.

There are picnic benches situated on a boardwalk next to the shore where you can sit and listen to the gulls as you gaze out towards the bay . . .  the air is filled with the smell of ozone and seaweed.  It is quite peaceful there, the peace only being punctuated by the occasional dog walker or beach comber.

I think there is a picnic spot up in Port George where Eileen is going where you can watch the seals sunbathing on the rocks. I hope she has a lovely day. I will hear all about it when I pick her up for supper tonight.

 

(source)

I love this painting.

The sky has a peculiar hue this morning. It is very overcast but the air looks yellow and feels a bit oppressive like something exciting is about to happen. My brother was afraid of tornadoes last night where he lives. I do not think there has ever been a tornado here where I live. as I look out at my front garden the toadstool wind sail is just every so slightly turning to and fro like little invisible fairy hands are at work. It does say on the weather app that rain will be starting soon and that there has been a lightening strike 10 km away. 

How amazing that they know this stuff.  In any case I will end this off now as I've not much else to talk about and must be on and about my day.

A thought to carry with you  . . . 

☾ ° ★° * 。  

• ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ • •。★★ 。* 。
° 。 ° ˛˚˛ * _Π_____*。*˚
˚ ˛ •˛•˚ */______/~＼。˚ ˚ ˛
˚ ˛ •˛• ˚ ｜ 田田 ｜門 ★

*To plant a garden

is to believe in tomorrow.

~Audrey Hepburn

I don't have anything new to share from the kitchen today as I was too tired yesterday to do much of anything so I am sharing an oldie with you today. Breakfast Quiche Stuffed Bagels.  These are quite good. You hollow out the bagel halves and fill them with your  desired options such as chopped peppers, onions or ham, and then fill them with beaten egg and cheese and bake. Quite yummy if I recall correctly!

I hope that you have a lovely Wednesday.  I hope that whatever you get up to, it brings you joy.  Don't forget! 

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⊰✿░G░O░D⊰✿⊰L░O░V░E░S⊰✿⊰░Y░O░U░⊰✿

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And I do too!    

   

 

A Day Book . . .

 

FOR TODAY, July 14th, 2026

OUTSIDE MY WINDOW ...

It is cloudy at the moment and should stay so all the day. The high should get up to about 28*C/82*F. They say as well it will get cooler towards the end of the week. Overall we have not had too bad a summer humidity-wise this year. I will never complain about that!

I AM THINKING ...

I had one of those nights last night. I don't think I really slept at all. I tossed and turned all night. I don't know why. I didn't have anything worrisome on my mind. I just couldn't tick over to into sleep land. I will be dragging my butt all day. I will not get much done to say the least. My cleaners are coming as well at 11 and I have been invited to a Birthday get-together next door for the neighbor lady across the way this afternoon.

I AM ALSO THINKING ...

Eileen has her gyna appointment this afternoon. I hope it all goes well.  

Also the woman across the way has a BIG dog (not the birthday lady). She often leaves him out on the front landing/porch. She has a small gate, but yesterday I saw the dog jump the gate and go after an elderly lady who was walking on the sidewalk between the houses to the next street over. She had a grocery bag in her hands and the dog pulled it open with it's teeth. That was quite scary to watch and makes me a bit afraid to go out to check my mail, etc. if that dog is about. She did come out and get the dog away from the other lady, but still  . . . very frightening.

 

(source)

I AM GRATEFUL FOR ...

Every night I give thanks to the Lord for my wee little home. It may not be the place I had envisioned myself ending up, but it was a true gift to me from God and where I needed to be. I am comfortable. I am safe. I can afford it. It provides a safe shelter for me and those whom I love whenever they need it.

I AM ALSO GRATEFUL FOR ...

Enough. I am enough. I have enough. I lack for nothing.  I also give thanks for that each and every day.

IN THE KITCHEN ...

Breakfast for Dinner Ciabatta Sandwiches. Tasty sandwiches that are great for either dinner or breakfast with tomato, cheese, eggs, etc.  Delicious!

ON MY "TO COOK" LIST ...

Tamarind and Thyme.  I love a good Indian meal.

 

(source)

THIS I BELIEVE ...

Jesus is the light of the world.

SOMETHING THAT IS NICE ...

My son Doug and his family are coming this afternoon between 2 and 5 so I will get to see them before they leave to go home tomorrow. I hope I am awake! lol

 

(source)

SOMETHING ELSE THAT IS NICE ...

Fresh cherries. I love them.

I am wanting to create ... 

 

Renata SAJ  Sun Star snowflakes.  

Rebekah Smith.  Simple eye candy, but I love the colours and love working with wool felt. 

 

Wooden Spools Designs. Jingle Bells Ornaments. Not free.

Lisa Pace.  Silent Night. 

 

No source, but isn't it cute?  I lost all of my ornaments.  I had been saving blown glass ones for years.  Its kind of late to start collecting them again.

I AM READING ...

THE JOY OF SNOW, by Elizabeth Goudge 

Childhood in the cathedral city of Wells, summer holidays in Guernsey, and reminiscences of Edwardian clothes, nannies and aunts mark this autobiography by the popular novelist and writer of children's book and short stories.

I have long enjoyed her works and I love reading autobiographies.

In her own words. “Old age, I find, is a time when you start doing all the things that in earlier years you reprobated in older people, and were certain you would never do yourself, and if there was one thing more than another that I was determined not to do, it was to write an autobiography. But I was asked to do it by a few friends of the type to whom one says, in the words of Philip Sidney, ‘Your desire to my heart is an absolute commandment.’ And so I obeyed. This book is an attempt to recapture happy memories, and only happy ones, and with them some of the joy in places and people that I have known, and share them. And to share too, some of the conclusions I have come to about work and life.”

A very enjoyable read so far.

I am looking forward to ...

Seeing my brother in August. 

Dreaming about ... 

 

Good chocolates  . . . 

 

Fresh picked apples  . . . 

 

Strawberry milk shakes  . . . 

 

Toast and marmalade  . . . 

 

Birthday cake  . . .  

 

Jam filled cookies  . . . 

Something to watch ... 

 

Larry Crowne on Netflix  . . . 

Makes me smile ... 

Corners of my kingdom ... 

 

From the front looking in  . . . 

A thought to carry with you ... 

° * 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ •
•。★★ 。* 。
° 。 ° ˛˚˛ * _Π_____*。*˚
˚ ˛ •˛•˚ */______/~＼。˚ ˚ ˛
˚ ˛ •˛• ˚ ｜ 田田 ｜門 ★

*Don't believe everything

you think.•。★★ 。* 。 

And that's my daybook for this week  . . .  
  

⋱ ⋮ ⋰
⋯ ◯ ⋯ Take time to enjoy the small *´¯`.¸¸.☆
  ⋰ ⋮ ⋱ blessings in life.*´¯`.¸¸.☆    
  



✿¸.•*¨`*•..✿✿¸.•*¨`*•..✿ ✿¸.•*¨`*•..¸✿ ✿¸.•*¨`*•..¸✿ ✿¸.• ╬♥═╬╬═♥=╬╬═♥╬╬═♥╬╬═♥=╬╬♥═╬♥╬╬═♥╬╬═♥=╬╬♥
░░░░░░░░░░░░░ ░░░░░░░░░░░░ ░░░░░░░░░░░░   
 

  

Have a beautiful day and don't forget!  


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⊰✿░G░O░D⊰✿⊰L░O░V░E░S⊰✿⊰░Y░O░U░⊰✿

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And I do too!        

 

A bit of an abbreviated one this morning as I want to try to have a nap before the cleaners arrive!