Wednesday Witterings . . .

 

(source)

 

I still haven't figured out yet if the Groundhog saw his shadow or not. I know Monday was pretty cloudy here so I am thinking not. Not that it really makes a difference as there will be six more weeks of winter no matter what.

I was so grateful for my sister driving me to and from the hospital on Monday. When we got up in the morning we were not sure as it had snowed a bit during the night, and the roads had not been cleared yet. But, bravely, Cindy decided to go for it and off we went.

The roads were pretty snow covered all the way in, but thankfully there was lots of traffic on the road carving a path to follow and we got there within the time frame I was supposed to arrive. Cindy stayed with me up until they took me down to the operating theatre.  She went to the craft store then and was back when I was taken to my room afterwards.

I have to admit I was quite discouraged when they told me that another shunt had been put in. But apparently I won't have to be put out for them to remove that one. Just some numbing stuff and the urologist will pull it out.

I think the worst is over?  At least I hope it is.

 

(source)

The roads were completely clear all the way home. All the snow was gone from them. Cindy dropped me off and put my garbage out for me as yesterday was garbage day. I really don't know how I would cope without her. Aside from the fact that she is my best friend.

Eileen went to see an apartment when I was at the hospital on Monday. It was not appropriate. Too many stairs and I guess it was really dirty, etc. I told them and her that she is welcome to live here with me until a proper apartment can be found that suits all her needs. There is no need to rush into getting something that is not suitable, safe or appropriate.

She is sad over everything and hurt, naturally, but I think she will be okay, and will actually better off in the long run. She is very capable and will do alright on her own.

 

(source)

Eileen and I were sitting here Monday night and all of a sudden the smoke detector started making the noise it makes when the battery is dying.  I thought oh no. I can't leave it because it is so loud and it will keep us awake.  I don't have a step ladder and even if I did it would not have been safe for me to climb up it on Monday night. The last time Cindy and I pulled the table over and Cindy got up on the table to change the battery.  But, I couldn't pull the table over either, or get up on it.  I called Sheila to see if she could call the husband of the lady next to me to see if he could come over and change the batter for us.  Sheila's nephew just happened to be there so he came over and changed it for us. What a blessing that was. I was so thankful.

Monday was loaded with blessings from beginning to end.

Eileen has been feeling bad about Valentines Day.  I can totally understand it. I have ordered her a Hello Kitty Teddy Bear and a heart shaped box of chocolates to give her on the day.  That should help I think. It will be a great distraction in any case, and she is worth it.

When the children were growing up I always got them something for Valentines Day, aside from the cards for them to give out at School.  It was never anything big and usually candy related, plus I would bake some special cookies or a cake for them and we would have a special dinner as a family. My husband, more often than not, would be away from home (military) and we never did date nights anyways.  Young people these days are much more "with it" that way. 

 

(source)

Last night Eileen and I had a cheeky treat of potato chips and dip.  She had picked up the dip while she was out to her CSS coffee hour in the afternoon and I had picked up the big Costco bag of Ruffles chips on the way home from the hospital on Monday. (Cindy stopped at the Cambridge Convenience to get coffee, and I got her to get us a bag of chips.)

Eileen was remembering how when they were kids every pay day I would get them a bag of chips and some dip and pop.  I would divide the chips into bowls for them and get them each a glass of pop and we would usually rent a movie and watch it together. I was surprised that she remembered that, but was pleased that it was a happy memory for her. So that is what we did last night. We each had a little bowl of chips, some onion dip and watched episodes of The Golden Girls on Disney. I think the last time I had watched any of those was when Tatiana was visiting me in the U.K. 

Eileen and I both enjoyed watching them last night.

 

(source)

I had to order myself a new Health Card. I seem to have misplaced mine with all the comings and goings. The last time I remember using it was at the lab last week when I dropped off my urine specimen. I know I had it then as the girl told me I didn't need it.  But I have no idea what I did with it after that. I can't find it at any rate so I called up and ordered a new one. Not free of course, but you have you have to do what you have to do. You need to have a health card to get health care.

And that is pretty much all that has been going on here in my Casa. I might try to go out to supper with Cindy and Dad tonight and bring Eileen. She would really enjoy that. It all depends on how my day goes loo wise. (Still having to go frequently, and when I have to go I have to go NOW!)

Eileen has a therapy appointment in early afternoon and I am just going to putter around here doing what I can.

So I will end this now with a thought for the day . . . 

A thought to carry with you  . . . I always loved Mr. Rogers.

☾ ° ★° * 。  

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

*Love seems to be something
that keeps filling up within us.
The more we give away,
the more we have to give.
~Mr. Rogers• ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ • •。★★ 。* 。

• ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ • •。★★ 。* 。

Another new/old recipe in The English Kitchen today . . .  Impossibly Easy Mac and Cheese Pie. I hope to start posting some new content soon, but in the meantime am updating some of the older things, which warrant taking a second look at.

I really hope that you have a wonderful Wednesday.  Keep safe. Stay warm.  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, February 3rd, 2026

OUTSIDE MY WINDOW ...

Not today but the other night. I think Saturday. I got up about midnight to go to the loo and looked out my bedroom window and was mesmerized by the shadow of the maple tree against the snow under the light of the moon. I thought it was beautiful.

I AM THINKING ...

Well, I was able to get into Kentville to have the procedure done yesterday.  My sister bravely drove out of her comfort zone on snowy roads to get me there. I was on time as well for 8:30. I was back home by 2:30 and the roads were clear by then. Good news is they removed the kidney stone. Bad news is they put in another stent which I will need to go back and have removed in another 2 to 4 weeks. I am thinking I will be glad to have this all over and done with. What a trial it has been for me. I am grateful however that it is nothing worse. We must take our blessings where we find them.

 

(source)

I AM ALSO THINKING ...

Every night when I say my prayers I make it a point always to thank God for my blessings, but lately I have been thanking him for three particular blessings pertaining to just that day. Funny thing, no matter how the day is gone, I can always find more than three! It's pretty amazing.

 

(source)

I AM GRATEFUL FOR ...

Where do I start. A sister who is willing to move out of her comfort zone to help me.  That we didn't get near as much snow as was predicted. That I am able to have my daughter here with me and help and support her.  That they were able to get the kidney stone. Last night my smoke detector started beeping. I don't have a step stool to get up to it to change the battery and I was not that steady on my pins anyways.  I called my neighbor and her nephew was there so he came over and put a new battery in it for me.  My blessings are endless.

I AM ALSO GRATEFUL FOR ...

All of you. I have felt the happy thoughts and prayers, and I truly appreciate them.

IN THE KITCHEN ...

Not a new recipe, but a good recipe. Ginger Dunkers.  Buttery, lightly spiced cookies, loaded with two kinds of ginger and crisp for dunking in your coffee, your tea, your milk, etc. Crisp and delicious.

ON MY "TO COOK" LIST ...

Italian Lemon Jam. This looks and sounds really good. Tis the season for Citrus and I am needing to eat and drink more citrus!

THIS I BELIEVE ...

You cannot change the past but you can learn from it and use it to help create a better future for yourself.

 

(source)

SOMETHING THAT IS NICE ...

Yes. This  . . . 

 

(source)

SOMETHING ELSE THAT IS NICE ...

Maple scented candles  . . . 

I AM WANTING TO CREATE ...

 

(source)

Tiny people   . . . 

 

(source)

I ordered a knitting spool for Eileen. I have loads of yarn scraps. She can busy herself making coasters or placemats, etc. She is excited about that.

 

(source)

Paper hearts  . . . 

 

(source)

Book page garlands  . . . 

 

(source)

Paper hugs  . . . 

 

(source)

SOMETHING I ENJOY ...

The way it feels to crawl into bed at the end of the day. So good.

 

(source)

SOMETHING ELSE I ENJOY ...

Painting.  I need to do it more often.

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 ...

 

(source)

Hot cocoa with marshmallows on top . . . 

 

(source)

Barn owls  . . . 

 

(source)

Slip on shoes  . . . 

 

(source)

Light   . . . 

 

(source)

Spring crocus  . . .  it won't be long  . . . 

SOMETHING TO WATCH ...

The Snow Sister on Netflix. Eileen really enjoys this film.

A THOUGHT TO CARRY WITH YOU ...

☾ ° ★° * 。  

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

*Because

I have known despair

I value hope.• ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ • •。★★ 。* 。

~Leonard Nimoy• ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ • •。★★ 。* 。

• ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ • •。★★ 。* 。

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!    

   

All Things Nice . . .

 

(source)

Great things come quietly to earth,

Sunrise is silent and the birth

Of the great Prince of Life and Light,

Came in the stillness of the night.

The mighty tides that wax and wane,

Move on a soundless mighty plane,

In answer to the pull and draw

Of some vast undisputed law.

A snowflake falling to the ground

Makes not the slightest breath of sound,

The stars come out in silent ranks,

Like daisies on the river banks.

The blessed seasons come and go,

Like a great pageant moving show

Across the stage of time and space,

With quiet, majesty and grace.

The giant fir . . . the stately elm,

Live in some peaceful silent realm,

While there is neither noise nor sound,

Below the surface of the ground.

And I have seen great rivers flow,

In soundless rapture as they go

To join the far depths of the sea,

Held in some magic harmony.

Death is a silent guest and makes

No greeting to the soul it takes,

And Life comes like a breath indrawn,

As still and quiet as the dawn.

~Edna Jacques, Great Things Come Quietly

Fireside Poems, 1950

It snowed again yesterday. Big quiet goose down flakes that floated down from the sky dancing and pirouetting as they fell to the ground. So pretty to watch from the window.  It was still snowing a bit when I got up this morning.  January has certainly been a snowy month and here we are standing on the end of it.  Snow for the next few days also with a Nor-easter expected to hit here by Sunday afternoon, with heavy snow and winds. It is not looking good for me to make it to my operation on Monday, but I remain hopeful that the snow won't be as bad as is predicted. Fingers crossed. The Urologist called yesterday to say that I have a UTI (surprise, surprise) and has prescribed another course of anti-biotics. Cindy very kindly went to pick them up for me. I really do not know what I would do without her. She is a great blessing in my life.

 

(source)

I have company to stay with me for a while. Yesterday morning my daughter messaged me and asked could she come to live with me until she can find a new apartment. I was surprised and saddened at the same time. Her husband has decided that he doesn't want to be married any more.  He says they both want very different things in life and he is not happy. I think it came as a great surprise to her and she is heartbroken to say the least. I said of course she always has a home with me for as long as she needs one. Her CSS worker (She and her husband are developmentally disabled) helped her to bring her clothing and a few other bits over and we had a long chat. I helped Eileen get settled in and we did a load of laundry, made some supper together and talked quite a bit.  I think she will be okay eventually. However she is very sad and I am very sad for her. This came as a complete shock to her and her heart is broken. Please keep her in your prayers.

We will manage. I personally think that in the long run this will be good for her and she will find eventually that she is much happier on her own.  But first, the healing must come and I am here to help her do that in any way that I can.

 

(source)

I did not get my refrigerator cleaned out yesterday. That is a job that we are going to tackle together this morning.  I think staying busy will be good for her. For both of us. There are lots of things she can help me with around here.  

The cats are intrigued again with yet more company.  They were quite settled in by last evening and Nutmeg was even laying on the sofa between us. And he is the big scaredy cat. 

I had gotten her an Anne of Green Gables coloring book for her birthday and a box of pencil crayons, and she has got that with her along with a few other crafty bits she likes to do. What I need to do is to empty one of my plastic bins that I have stored in the back room for her to put her things in. 

We got all of her laundry done and folded and put away. She had a nice shower and even let me brush her hair, which is something she has not let me do in a very long time. She would like to get her hair cut, so maybe I can put a bug in her CSS worker's ear and get that done. I told her she also needs to get herself some clothing as she doesn't have much. She needs new undies and bras, and she only has two pairs of pants. Maybe my sister and I can take her to get some clothes one day, once my health is all sorted. We can get the money from her CSS worker.

Once they are able to find her a new apartment we can assess what she needs and hopefully sort everything out for her. 

While on the surface this may not seem like anything nice, I think in the long run it will be the best thing for her ever. It will just take a while to get there. We will rise from the ashes better and stronger for having been through the fire.

 

 

(source)

I was up three times during the night to go to the loo. Hopefully once the anti-biotics take hold that will slow down a bit. I got up this morning because Nutmeg was meowing at my door and I didn't want him to wake anyone up, so I am going to end this off now and go have a short nap before Eileen wakes up. Once again not my usual lengthy post, but you will forgive me for that I know.

A thought to carry with you  . . .

☾ ° ★° * 。  

• ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ • •。★★ 。* 。

° 。 ° ˛˚˛ * _Π_____*。*˚

˚ ˛ •˛•˚ */______/~＼。˚ ˚ ˛

˚ ˛ •˛• ˚ ｜ 田田 ｜門 ★

*Sometimes I need only to 

stand where I am to be blessed.
~Mary Oliver• ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ • •。★★ 。* 。

• ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ • •。★★ 。* 。 

In The English Kitchen today, Dutch Apple Pie. Again not a new recipe, but I have rewritten etc. Its a good one. Thanks so much for your patience.

I hope you have a lovely weekend. If all goes as planned I won't be writing again until after my procedure so sometime on Tuesday to let you know all is well. In the meantime have a lovely weekend. Stay warm and safe 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!    

   

Dear Neighbor . . .

 

(source)

 

FRIDAY, January 30th, 2026

Estate Lane, Nova Scotia

-11*C/12*F mostly cloudy 

cold and snowy days ahead

Dear Neighbor,

It is definitely a chilly in here this morning. The cats are snuggling up on the heated floor in the bathroom. I don't blame them. If I thought I would be able to get up again I would be snuggled down there right with them!

Brrr . . .

I ended up having a very busy day yesterday. I had my cleaners come late in the morning. I was expecting them. They were scheduled to come on Tuesday but the appointment got put off due to the snow, so they came yesterday instead. I always love how fresh and clean the house smells and seems after they are here.

In the meantime in the morning I got a call from the hospital saying that the Urologist wanted me to drop a Urine sample off either yesterday or today. Of course I don't have any specimen bottles.  They emailed me a requisition and after Cindy's Tai Chi class she drove me over to the hospital in town so that I could do that.  I also managed to get some cat food picked up and some sugar free lemonade. I just gave Cindy the money and she went into the shops to get it. I can't be pushing a grocery cart and walking around the grocery store with this stent in. The other night when I went out to dinner with Cindy and Dad I had to visit the bathroom three times. I will be so glad to have this all over with.

 

(source)

It is debatable as to whether or not I will be able to have the procedure on Monday anyways. There is a weather advisory for heavy snowfall in effect from Sunday on into Monday.  The roads may not be fit enough to drive all the way into Kentville.  Plus I have not got anyone to stay with me for 24 hours after the procedure. I asked Eileen but she can't or won't and Cindy can't as she has to take care of Dad. I can have someone checking up on me, as Cindy certainly would do so and I am sure Glenna across the road would as well. But I don't have anyone who can actually stay here with me. I wonder what the protocol is for someone who doesn't have anyone that can stay with them?

I feel very nervous about the whole thing. I can barely walk 10 feet without having to go pee. I am not sure how I will be able to walk the length of the hospital, onto an elevator and then up stairs to where I will need to be.  I shouldn't be dwelling on it. But I am.

This was my little man snuggled up next to me on the sofa last night. He likes to be close by. Usually when the cleaners are here they don't see him. Cinnamon comes out and watches them the whole time, but Nutmeg he stays hidden.  Yesterday he thought they had gone and he came trotting out and then noticed that they were still here. The look on his face was of pure terror and he went scooting back under one of the chairs at the table and then slunk from there off back into the bedroom. I do not know why he is so afraid of people. He is the epitome of the term "scaredy cat" when people he does not know are around.

Whenever my sister drops me off he comes to the door and looks at her through the screen until she rolls her window down and says "Bye bye Nutmeg." He gives a little meow and then gets down and goes off to do whatever. He actually looks for that bye bye. Its really cute.

Pets are wonderful. Yes they are a bit of a tie and lots of responsibility, but they also add a wonderful dimension to your life that you would not otherwise be able to experience, and, if you live alone, they are great company. Cat or dog, I would not be without a pet. I think they are quite wonderful.

 

(source)

My neighbor across the way has completely moved out now. She has moved back into one of the units on the next street that she was in before she moved into these units. She had thought she would feel safer in these places. I have no idea why she wanted to move out. At 83 I would find moving anywhere very stressful. In fact at my age I would find moving very stressful. It is not even something I want to contemplate. I will not be leaving this place until I die or unless they put me out, which I cannot imagine. I think I am a pretty good tenant. 

They (whoever they are) say that moving is one of the most stressful things you can experience.  When I was married to my second husband and bringing up our family, we moved frequently.  It was always really hard. The last few moves were the most difficult as we left children behind each time. As a mother this was really difficult. Nobody likes to leave children behind, but they reach an age where they don't want to move and you cannot force them.

When we moved from New Brunswick to Meaford, Ontario, our oldest son was in Uni and had a girlfriend (his wife) and he didn't want to leave, and when we moved back to Nova Scotia from Ontario a few years later our youngest daughter chose to move back to New Brunswick and live with her best friend and her family as she didn't want to finish her high school years with a bunch of strangers. Totally understandable. It was a wrench for me both times.

I am at a stage in life now where I am happy to just stay put.

 

(source)

This week I watched a 2011 concert by a boy group called "Take That" in Wembley stadium. It was really good.  In the 1990's they were considered to be Great Britain's answer to The New Kids on the Block.  Most people don't know who they are over here, even though they have had a few successful records over here. But if you say the name Robbie Williams, people know who he is, and he was an original member of the group.  I had all of their cd's and used to listen to them often when I was working on my art in my craft room  over in the U.K. 

Anyways I really enjoyed this concert. It was really good. I never ever got to see them in person when I lived over there. There is a documentary about them on Netflix at the moment as well.

If you like great music and want to see a really entertaining concert I can't recommend this concert enough. It's great!  You might even recognize some of the music. I found myself tapping my toes and singing along with them all through it.

 

(source)

I have plans to clean out my refrigerator today. We will see how that goes. Hopefully I can get it done. I haven't been to the grocery store for a few weeks and there is stuff in there that needs throwing out. I try not to waste things, but these few weeks I haven't been really up to cooking much to be honest.  Just quick and easy stuff. Hopefully once I have this next procedure done things can get back to normal!  I remain hopeful!

I don't really have a lot else to share with you this time. My life has been very narrow as of late.  I will leave you with a thought for the day . . . 

☾ ° ★° * 。  

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

*Happiness often sneaks through

a door you didn't know you left open!

~anonymous • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ • •。★★ 。* 。

• ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ • •。★★ 。* 。 

In The English Kitchen today I am sharing a recipe for Dublin Coddle.  This is a delicious Irish comfort dish of sausage and potatoes, bacon and I added some barley.  Simple, warming, economical.

I do so hope you have a lovely Friday whatever you get up to. Stay safe and stay warm!

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!