Dear Neighbor . . .

 

(source)

FRIDAY, January 23rd, 2026

Estate Lane, Nova Scotia

-4*C/25*F partly cloudy 

cold and snowy days ahead

Dear Neighbor,

I am really late getting this started this morning. I finally had a good night's sleep last night. I have spent the last week in virtual agony, taking tylenol with it doing absolutely nothing for me. Finally early last evening I decided to take one of the heavy duty pain killers that I had left from before the procedure and within half an hour I was feeling half human again, and I am feeling half human still.  No running to the washroom every ten minutes and giving birth to a razer blade. Very little pain.  Just more human.  I am going to call my Doctor's office today and ask him to call me back. If this is what it takes to get me through the next three to six weeks, I want it.  And I am not one to take pain killers if I can help it.  

My friend Jackie called me last night and she could tell just by my voice that I was not myself. She said this isn't right and it isn't normal. You need to do something about it. That's when I decided to take the pain killer. 

Like night and day my friend. Like night and day. I have not been living these past seven days, I have merely been existing.

 

(source)

I called my next door neighbor Sheila last night to check up on her. I had not spoken to her since before Doug came.  I wanted to make sure she was okay.  She was, which is good. I wanted to apologize for not sending over any meals to her.  My sister did take a piece of our father's birthday cake last Saturday night, but that is all. She said she really loved the cake, that is was very sweet, but delicious.  Apparently Midge across the way is moving back to her old unit on the next street over.  I had thought something was afoot by all the cars that were coming and going at her place and the boxes leaving the garage. Plus they took down her screen door.  She had moved from that place to this unit because she said she didn't feel safe at the other one as it backed onto the woods. I am curious as to why she would want to move back, but in all truth it's none of my business. I will miss having her as a neighbor.  

Admittedly they are much nicer units with in-floor heating and a more open and brighter kitchen.  They are also more expensive.  I am happy where I am. But I will miss Midge and her little dog Peanut.

I hope someone nice takes her place.

Speaking of birthdays and cakes. This is a photograph that Cindy took last Saturday supper time of Dad on his Birthday. He doesn't look too shabby for 92.  It was really nice of Cindy to bring everything over to my place so that I could celebrate his birthday with everyone. Dad has his new hearing aids now and is hearing a lot better than he was, which is a relief to all. His world kept getting narrower and narrower as he was unable to hear much of what anyone was saying to him.  Now he is able to hear most of what is being said, which is great!

I missed going out to supper with Cindy and him on Wednesday night this week. Maybe next week. We will have to wait and see.

 

(source)

I am hoping that I can get a few things done around here today.  I have not done much of anything for the past seven days except watch television and nod off whilst doing so.  Small cat naps off and on throughout the day. Life has been pretty boring, admittedly.  I still do not think I will be moving very far from my home, but I think if the pain is abating a bit I can do a bit more around here, like actually cook something. I did cook that chicken and broccoli dish earlier this week, but that took everything out of me to do so.  Perhaps today I can cook something and not have myself feeling totally depleted afterwards.

Hope springs eternal as they say. Baby steps will be in order so I don't knock myself back again.

 

(source)

We are expecting light snow this afternoon. From what I have been reading they are expecting some bad weather all the way across the US and up into Canada over the next days.  Starting with ice and then snow on top of that. Winter storms.  Cold temperatures. That is January. Cold and snowy.  I am so grateful to have a roof over my head.  What a blessing that is in this day and age when so many do not. 

I hope I never take my home for granted. My son Doug says that he fears for the world his sons are growing up in. Both he and his wife work full time at their jobs, which earn them not much more than minimum wage and they still don't have enough between the two of them working and earning to be able to afford to rent a home large enough for the family.  They live with his in-laws in their big old farm house. 

Years ago, it was not unusual for multiple generations of family to live together under one roof, with everyone contributing to the wealth and well being of the household. I can see things having to return to that type of lifestyle if things do not improve for people.  I do not think that it is necessarily a bad thing.

Doug cannot see a future for his children where they will be able to get good jobs and be able to afford to live in their own homes. Not if they stay on the Island. Leaving the Maritimes is nothing new either.  Maritimers have been leaving the Maritime provinces to find employment for years and years. In fact there was a film made about it in the 1960's or 70's called "Goin Down the Road." I know many of the kids I grew up with left to move out West back around that time. There was just not a lot of opportunity left here. We have always been known as the poor provinces.

 

(source)

I confess to being so bored at one point yesterday that I tuned in the news. ABC I think it was. I quickly remembered why I do not watch the news. Such gloom and doom. I cannot believe some of the things which are going on in the world at the moment. It is a wonder anyone has any hope at all. 

I quickly turned the channel. I did not want to invite any more of that than I had to into my home. Yuck.

I would rather be uninformed than to have to listen to all of that.  I am rather proud of our Prime Minister though.  He represents us well on the world stage. And that is all I will say about any of it. I trust him to keep our country safe.

 

(source)

So now all I have to decide is what I am going to do today. Maybe I will play with my paints at some point. Or bake something. Cook a simple supper. Tidy up. There is no end to the possibilities that await me.  I will call my Doctor for sure.

I apologize if I have been a bit of a Debbie Downer these past days. I will try to do better from here on in and to be more upbeat. Thanks for all of your love and support despite my malcontent.

A thought to carry with you  . . . 

☾ ° ★° * 。  

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

*The whole world 

is a series of miracles,

but we are so used to them

we call them ordinary things.

~Hans Christian Anderson

• ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ • •。★★ 。* 。 

My new old recipe in The English Kitchen today.  Baked Herb Crusted Cod. Tender, flaky cod is coated in a crisp, golden herb crumb that bakes up beautifully in the oven — no frying, no fuss, just clean, fresh flavors and a wonderfully light texture. This is delicious. 

I hope you have a wonderful Friday.  Be safe and warm. Find peace and happiness wherever you are.  Be blessed. 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!   

 

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Enamel ranges  . . . 

 

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Reading next to the fire  . . . 

 

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Reading in bed  . . . 

 

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Pretty tea cups  . . . 

 

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Sweater weather  . . . 

 

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This  . . .  

 

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Coloring and painting  . . .  

 

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Border collies  . . .  this reminds me of our Jess. She was a sweet dog.

 

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A hot bowl of soup   . . . 

 

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Good olives  . . . . 

 

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Warm mittens  . . .  especially homemade  . . . 

 

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Clean, bright, organized  . . . 

 

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 A nut hatch  . . . 

 

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Embroidered linens  . . .  

 

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New fabric  . . . 

 

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Transferware  . . . 

And those are my favorite things for this week. Maybe some of them were also yours?

A thought to carry with you  . . . 

☾ ° ★° * 。  

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

*You do not find the happy life.

You make it.• ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ • •。★★ 。* 。

~Camilla Eyring Kimball• ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ • •。★★ 。* 。

• ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ • •。★★ 。* 。

In the English Kitchen today I am sharing an old recipe for Malva Pudding. This is a recipe that I got from my friend Tina several years back. It's South African and delicious! A sweet cake soaked in a creamy butter syrup. Served warm, spooned into bowls with lashings of cream, custard or a scoop of ice cream.

I hope you have a beautiful day today. One week down. Counting the days and enduring. Each night when I say my prayers I thank God for three blessings received during the day just spent. That is helping. Focusing on the good. I will try to get to emails and comments today.  

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)

 

I am incredibly late getting started this morning. I do not know what is happening to my time. These last few weeks I have had a very difficult time getting a grasp on my hours. They are either passing by incredibly slowly or they are flashing by and I don't seem to have much control either way. I remind myself frequently that it could always be worse.

I am being taught patience.  And tolerance. My prayer has been to help me to tolerate the pain better and I can see that my tolerance is growing. That is the improvement I am seeing. The pain is still there, but I am starting to tolerate it a bit better. At least that is what I tell myself. When I feel my bladder needing to be emptied I still feel dread in the pit of my stomach at what I know will be coming next. I had thought it would become less frequent, but in all honesty every time I stand up, that feeling comes. It is no fun to say the least.

However  . . . 

 

(source)

Things are being accomplished. This having to slow down has helped me to focus on things in a way that I hadn't had the time for over these past few years. I have been able to read and to study, or try to study at any rate. A lot of prayer and thought.  Not a lot of cooking has been going on. Is this the cosmos forcing me to rethink my priorities? I am not sure. 

I will always need to cook. It is what keeps a roof over my head after all, but perhaps I have been prioritizing that too much. At the exclusion of everything else in my life.  Somehow I have allowed this need to keep a roof over my head to swallow up all of my todays and as we all know eventually all of our todays will be gone.

Do I want to look back and see a life squandered in work and nothing else??  No play. No time for self indulgences such as reading, or painting  . . .  writing, study . . . playing with my hands. Building beauty and fulfilling the creative side of my soul. I do not want to have a life that is all work and no play and that is what I have been building for myself.

We are all creators at heart. The act of creation is built into us. We ignore it at our peril.

 

(source)

The temptation is there to think that the year 2026 has been a horrible year thus far, and yes . . . having had the shingles and now this horrid experience I am having to live through at present . . .  not nice. But there has been so much good as well . . . 

I have had time spent with my two older sons. First Anthony and then Doug. And three of my grandsons. It has been so wonderful to do this, to begin my year with these two wonderful boys of mine and their boys. What a blessing. I do not get to do it often enough. I have treasured these moments.

These times together have been gifts. And I know the one visit was at the end of 2025, but it still got my 2026 off to a good start.  I hope that it was the same treasure for them as it was for me. I am sure it was.

 

(source)

Usually on Wednesdays I go out for supper with my sister and my father to a local restaurant.  I so want to be able to do that today. It would solve the problem of me having to cook for myself. On Monday I had beans on toast, and yesterday I made a chicken dish, but I found it very tiring. On the one hand it would be nice to be able to eat a meal without having to cook it myself. On the other hand I am worried about my bladder behaving enough to allow me get up, get into a car, go to a restaurant, and then sit there for an hour, get up again, get back onto the car and then come home.  I don't know  . . .  and I don't want to spoil it for anyone else.

I will see how I get on throughout the day today.

 

(source)

I finally finished Sense & Sensibility. I really enjoyed it. I had seen bits of it before but this was the first time I actually had watched it all the way through. What an elegant period in time that was. I am on the lookout now for more films of the same ilk.  Suggestions and where to stream them would be very welcome.  

Not that I want to spend all of my time vegging on the sofa watching other people live their lives. But when I do, types of films and shows like this would be very welcome.

I did watch a program on the beginnings and building of New York City on PBS the other day. Well in three parts as I don't have the attention span required to watch a lengthy show in one bit.  It was quite interesting to see how it had its beginnings and how it grew, and also how some of the richest families in America managed to grow their wealth through the process.  Like the Rothschilds and the Vanderbilts. Very interesting. 

Remembering my mom with love today, and every day really. She left us on this day in 2019. Always loved. Never forgotten. Love you mom.

 

(source)

I have emails to write and comments to respond to, but it pains me to sit in one place for too long. My goal today is to address that. I would never want anyone to think I am ignoring them.  It has just been very hard to concentrate on anything meaningful and to address it with the purpose and consideration that I usually do. I apologize if anyone has been waiting to hear from me. I will get there  . . . 

I know I have not said a lot this morning, but I need to get up from here. Please know that you all are in my mind and in my heart. I do so appreciate each of you and your love, comments, prayers and support. I can feel the love, and it has helped. 

A thought to carry with you  . . . 

☾ ° ★° * 。  

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

*It is a serious thing
to be alive 
on this fresh morning
in the broken world.
~Mary Oliver • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ • •。★★ 。* 

• ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ • •。★★ 。*  

What I managed to cook yesterday, One Pan Chicken & Broccoli Pasta. It was very good. I have leftovers to enjoy today. 

I hope that you have a lovely Wednesday. Tis very cold here today and snowy days are ahead. Whatever you get up to, don't forget! 

═══════════ღೋƸ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒღೋ═════════════ 

⊰✿░G░O░D⊰✿⊰L░O░V░E░S⊰✿⊰░Y░O░U░⊰✿

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And I do too!    

   

A Day Book . . .

 

FOR TODAY, January 20th, 2026

OUTSIDE MY WINDOW ...

It has snowed again during the night. I was not able to post yesterday as we lost our power very early in the morning and it was off until mid-afternoon.  I was able to do a few posts on my FB page using my phone, but it would have been impossible for me to do it using my phone. I have thumbs like hams.

 

(source)

I AM THINKING ...

I was reading on my kindle in bed last night. I have been reading Even This by Emily Belle Freeman again. I read these words:

"It was in the depths of the place that I didn't want to go that I was able to understand more clearly the capacity of God. His goodness. His realness. His love."

and 

"Maybe the trial isn't always about God trying to prove us or build our character -- what if He is trying to help us discover HIS?

I have been truly suffering over this past week. Ever since the kidney stone, and it is a suffering that became even worse when they put in the shunt. If you have ever had a UTI you will know what that has felt like, with no relief in sight. Just hour after hour and day after day of pain, discomfort, etc. wanting to go to the loo every time you move or stand up, etc. And when you do go, not pleasant. Not being able to sleep more than an hour at a time, etc. 

Last night in bed, around midnight, after having been to the toilet already about 3 times since I landed in bed, I told Him . . . "I do not know how much longer I can cope with this unbearable discomfort. Please strengthen me so that I can tolerate it better. Please, please, please."

Somehow I was able to fall asleep.  I woke up abut 3 am and had to go to the loo.  While in there I felt the kidney stone pass. I am sure that I did. I could not find it but I felt it and I heard it hit the water. I went back to bed and slept through until 5 a.m. This morning already the pain and discomfort are much more tolerable.  Co-incidence? I do not think so. He is lifting me up and carrying me.

 

(source)

I AM ALSO THINKING ...

Maybe today I will actually be able to get something done. All of my days since I had the stent put in have been spent sitting and doing nothing because I daren't move for fear of wetting myself. That is not to say that I don't still feel it, but I feel much more tolerant of it.

 

(source)

I AM GRATEFUL FOR ...

The power of prayer, and answered prayers. For all of the prayers that have been given on my behalf over the past days. I have felt them.

IN THE KITCHEN ...

Tender Vanilla Breakfast Cornbread.  I am sorry if I have only been sharing rewritten older recipes over these past days, but I have not felt up to cooking anything new and they need rewriting, updated recipe cards, etc. They are also great recipes that have been forgotten. This is a beautiful cornbread that makes a perfect breakfast, especially served  warm with butter and fruit.

ON MY "TO COOK" LIST ...

Taste of Home. Spumoni Cookies. These look fabulous. Maybe for next Christmas.

 

(source)

THIS I BELIEVE ...

We need to fill our days with things which bring us peace and joy.

 

(source)

SOMETHING THAT IS NICE ...

Cake. A moist and tasty homemade cake. 

 

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SOMETHING ELSE THAT IS NICE ...

A hot drink to enjoy with the cake.

I AM WANTING TO CREATE ...

 

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Little knitted kittens in bonnets  . . . 

 

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Buttons to push  . . . .

 

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A happy box  . . . 

 

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Little felt cats in sweaters  . . . 

 

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Pretty deer  . . . 

SOMETHING I ENJOY ...

 

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The needlearts  . . . 

SOMETHING ELSE I ENJOY ...

Unusual words  . . . 

I AM READING ...

MRS. ENDICOTT'S SPLENDID ADVENTURE, by Rhs Bowen 

Blindsided by betrayal in pre-WWII England, a woman charts a daring new course in this captivating tale of resilience, friendship, and new love by the bestselling author of The Rose Arbor and The Venice Sketchbook. 

 Surrey, England, 1938. After thirty devoted years of marriage, Ellie Endicott is blindsided by her husband’s appeal for divorce. It’s Ellie’s opportunity for change too. The unfaithful cad can have the house. She’s taking the Bentley. Ellie, her housekeeper Mavis, and her elderly friend Dora―each needing escape―impulsively head for parts unknown in the South of France. 

 With the Rhône surging beside them, they have nowhere to be and everywhere to go. Until the Bentley breaks down in the inviting fishing hamlet of Saint Benet. 

Here, Ellie rents an abandoned villa in the hills, makes wonderful friends among the villagers, and finds herself drawn to Nico, a handsome and enigmatic fisherman. 

As for unexpected destinations, the simple paradise of Saint Benet is perfect. But fates soon change when the threat of war encroaches. Ellie’s second act in life is just beginning―and becoming an adventure she never expected.

I am thoroughly enjoying this. Thoroughly.

I know I should be finished this by now, but life has gotten in the way.

THINGS THAT I FANCY ...

 

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Red and white stripes  . . . 

 

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Pretty doorknockers  . . . 

 

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Pyrex  . . . 

 

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Lace curtains  . . . 

 

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Plain cake  . . . 

SOMETHING TO WATCH . . .

Everwood on Netflix. Love it.

A THOUGHT TO CARRY WITH YOU . . . 

☾ ° ★° * 。  

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

*When I'm home,
I like a cozy, comfortable
relaxing space.
~Stacy Keibler • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ • •。★★ 。* 。

• ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ • •。★★ 。* 。

And that is my daybook for this week!  Thanks always for being here!

  ⋱ ⋮ ⋰

⋯ ◯ ⋯ Take time to enjoy the small *´¯`.¸¸.☆

  ⋰ ⋮ ⋱ blessings in life.*´¯`.¸¸.☆ 

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

░░░░░░░░░░░░░ ░░░░░░░░░░░░ ░░░░░░░░░░░░ 

Have a beautiful day!  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!