Friday, 10 July 2026

Dear Neighbor . . .

 




 JULY 10, 2026

Estate Lane
Nova Scotia
19*C/66*F
Rain and thunder storms

Dear Neighbor,

Its dark and rainy this morning and I have heard rumblings off in the distance. Still fairly warm however, so that's good. Its supposed to clear in about an hour.  They are calling for rain over the next few days. I hope they are wrong as I don't want Doug and his family to have a rainy time at the camp they are attending, but I suppose that the camp will have things in place in the case of rain. Anyways, I hope they are having a good time and that they continue to do so.



 

Yesterday would have been our mother's 94th Birthday.  Cindy, Dan and I went up to the cemetery to spend some time in the morning. It was lovely and peaceful up there, but quite dry. Dan and Cindy weeded the little flower bed in front of mom's tombstone and Cindy and I watered them.

I noticed our cousin John has had a beautiful headstone laid.  I messaged my cousin Sheri to tell her how lovely it looked (his sister.)  She told me that our cousin Maria had bought it and had it installed, so I messaged her. What a sweet testimony of love it was to see.

I quite liked the look of it. It is very similar to the one I wish to have. I will have to look into it.


 

Eileen got through her first night in her apartment alright, although she did sleep on her sofa and not on her bed. Hopefully she slept in her bed last night.  She had her visit in the morning. Her worker helped her to unpack a few bits and then she walked down to Tim Hortons, which was good.  Great exercise for her to walk there and back. She messaged me when she got home and I went over with a few things for her.  I brought her her tool box and some blankets, a nice throw to put over the sofa, and some potato salad.  Things are looking very nice in there. She was watching the new Little House on the Prairie (which I also started yesterday). I showed her how to pause the television when she has other things to do such as phone calls, etc.

At any rate, she seemed to be very happy and comfortable.  She was going to make herself some Kraft Macaroni and Cheese with tomatoes for her supper along with some hotdogs. I messaged her at bedtime and she was fine. 

I think everything will be okay.


 


I got quite a bit of laundry done yesterday and cleaned up the bedroom where Eileen was staying. Changed the bed, etc. Swept, vacuumed and washed the floor. So that is all sorted. I found a few things under the bed that she had forgotten so I brought them over when I went to hers. 

By late afternoon I was quite tired so I lay back in my easy boy chair to have a quick nap. Cinnamon always jumps up and has her own nap laying on top of me. She makes biscuits and sings for a while first and then lays back and snoozes. Its "our" time.  Sometimes Nutmeg will come and chase her off and have "his" time with me as well.

My nap was interrupted (I didn't mind) by the lady next door. She had an invitation for me to come to a little Birthday get-together she is having next Tuesday afternoon for the new lady from across the street, so that she can get to know the ladies on the street better. What a lovely gesture to make.  

I often see her (her name is Zilla) going around doing things for the neighbors. She is quite fit for her age. She brings them their newspapers, checks their mail for them. I have seen her weeding the garden and raking up in the lady across the street's yard and her husband brings over her garbage and green bin on garbage day so she doesn't have to. She needs a walker to get around. (The lady across the street.)

Zilla was telling me she does crafts and goes to the sales in the autumn. That's my kind of person.


 

I picked up my eye glasses earlier this week, but haven't been able to wear them for very long yet. I know I need to just put them on and leave them on and I will get used to them, but I have had to go out a fair bit and don't want to get sick in the car from my eyes being wonky.  There is quite a difference between the old lens for my left eye and the new lens, plus they are the ones that get dark in the sunlight, so they will take a bit of getting used to.

I will eventually.


 

There is this food blogger I have been following for a number of years now. I purchased her first cookbook back when I was still living in the U.K. Half Baked Harvest. She takes the most beautiful food photos, and I used to love watching her reels and videos.  She is probably one of the most successful food bloggers in the world I reckon, aside from Pioneer Woman.

I have had to stop watching her and following her.  Its been like watching someone literally die in front of your face. Very alarming. This young woman clearly has an terrible eating disorder. You never did really see her eat anything that she cooked, or at least you never saw her swallow any of it. She did take the occasional bite.  The last few years all you see are her hands and they are getting thinner and thinner.  She posted a video of her talking a few weeks back and I was horrified by what I saw. She is literally nothing more than a skeleton with skin.  Anyone who showed concern for this in the comments was quickly shot down by other commentors and told to mind their own business, or called a bully.

I can't watch it any more. Its been haunting me ever since.  I fully expect one day to wake up to the news that she has passed away.  I hope not, but I expect it to happen.

Have any of you followed her?  I would be interested in your opinion on this. I know that there is not a lot that we as a viewing community can do, but what about her parents and family?  I don't know. I know it is really none of my business but its very distressing to watch someone die slowly in front of your face and not see anyone doing anything about it.


 

Speaking of diseases . . .  one of my cousins has been diagnosed with a very rare disease recently. Whipples Disease.  They have been treating him for Rheumatoid Arthritis for years but it appears now that it is this Whipples Disease which can be fatal if not treated.  He is in hospital now and is expected to be in hospital for about a month, and then treatments will continue at home, but he has a long road to recovery ahead of him. 


 


There hasn't been a lot else going on in my life at the moment.  Things pretty much stay the same. I started the new Little House series on Netflix. I have only just watched the first episode. It is quite different than the old series we are used to seeing, but so far it seems very good.  I am slowly working at decluttering some areas. Its that old adage, "how do you eat an elephant," one bite at a time. If you look at the full picture it can be overwhelming, but if you take it in small bits, then it is quite doable. I don't know how I accumulated so much in such a short time, but I have.  I don't want to be a burden on my family when I die, so I need to get rid of stuff now. I do want to enjoy my life, but I also don't want to leave them a lot of stuff to have to dispose of.  I have given a fair bit to Eileen already. I took over some tea towels to her yesterday.  There will be more things I am sure she can use.

And with that I best end this missive. Time is galloping on and I am running behind.

A thought to carry with you  . . . 

☾ ° ° * 。  
° 。 ° ˛˚˛ * _Π_____*。*˚
˚ ˛ •˛•˚ */______/~\。˚ ˚ ˛
˚ ˛ •˛• ˚ | 田田 |門 ★
• ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ • •。★★ 。* 。
*There's something about
childhood friends
that you just can't replace.
~Lisa Whelchel

I know I sure appreciate mine!


Swedish Cinnamon Buns


In The English Kitchen today  . . .  Swedish Cinnamon Buns. These have cardamom in the dough and a sprinkle of crystalized sugar over top.  Other than that they are pretty similar to regular cinnamon buns. Yes, they are delicious. 


I hope that you have a lovely day today. May you be blessed with some sunshine and all that you stand in need of.  Be blessed. Don't forget!

═══════════ღೋƸ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒღೋ═════════════ 
⊰✿░G░O░D⊰✿⊰L░O░V░E░S⊰✿⊰░Y░O░U░⊰✿
═══════════ ღೋƸ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒღೋ ════════════  

And I do too!    

   

Thursday, 9 July 2026

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!


 


This. Because it speaks truth to me. 


 


Kittens  . . . they are so sweet and innocent.


 


Bread and Butter, fresh bread, soft butter . . . and sometimes jam or marmalade.


 

Pies. Any kind. Fruit, meat, etc. If it's in a pastry it's calling my name.


 

Blue and white quilts  . . .  I had to leave mine in the U.K.


 

Pretty dresses  . . . 


 

Jars in caps  . . . 


 

Pretty honey jars  . . .  and spoons.


 

Moonlit skies  . . . 


 

A kitchen garden  . . . 


 

A Peter Pan collar  . . . 


 

The delicious simplicity of a vanilla cake  . . . 


 

The creativity of others  . . . 


 

Rustic simplicity  . . . 


 

I see a heart, do you?


 

Tea kettles  . . . 


 

Buttons  . . .  I love buttons  . . . 


 

Counters wearing skirts  . . . 


 

Country roads  . . . 


 

Clotted cream . . . with scones and jam.


 

Colored glass  . . . 


 

Old seed packets  . . . 


 

Sunshine  . . . 


 

Stars  . . . 


 

Straw hats  . . . 

And all of you! You are my kind of people. 


And those are my favorite things for this week. I hope that some of them were yours also!


Eileen got moved into her apartment safe and sound.  I picked her up at 4 to take her out for supper. Afterwards I went back to hers to drop her off and make sure everything was okay with her television, etc. We talked a bit on messenger when I got home. I messaged her when I went to bed. I will give her a wake up message at 9:30 this morning.  She said she was lonely last night. That is to be expected. Hopefully she will adjust. Once she gets a cat that will change as well.

I never feel lonely. I am blessed that way.

A thought to carry with you  . . . 


☾ ° ° * 。  
• ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ • •。★★ 。* 。
° 。 ° ˛˚˛ * _Π_____*。*˚
˚ ˛ •˛•˚ */______/~\。˚ ˚ ˛
˚ ˛ •˛• ˚ | 田田 |門 ★
*If it costs you your peace,
it's too expensive.


Cuppa Cuppa Cake


In The English Kitchen today  . . .  Cuppa Cuppa Cake. Three simple ingredients. From the film Steel Magnolias. Very tasty!


It was a very busy day yesterday in one way or another.  I got Eileen moved out, my oldest son called and we facetimed, and then just as we were ending that Douglas and his family arrived for a visit. Then I took Eileen, etc. Today should be a bit quieter.  

I hope you have a lovely day.  Be blessed. Don't forget! 

═══════════ღೋƸ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒღೋ═════════════ 
⊰✿░G░O░D⊰✿⊰L░O░V░E░S⊰✿⊰░Y░O░U░⊰✿
═══════════ ღೋƸ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒღೋ ════════════  

And I do too!    

   

Wednesday, 8 July 2026

Wednesday Witterings . . .

 

 Well, today is the day. My baby is flying my nest and into her own nest. There will be tears. I am very excited for her on the one hand and afraid on the other.  I am trying to be very upbeat and supportive despite the fears. I am putting her in God's hands.  That's what a parent does. You pray for the best and then trust that all will be well.

There was a bit of a problem yesterday. I was quite annoyed about it.  Eileen has had problems receiving her internet modem. She had emails saying it had been delivered on the 30th of June, and a card put into her mail box, but neither of these things were true. I told her to ask her worker that she had yesterday to help her check at the Post Office when she took her to check her mail, and Eileen also needed to go to the Drugstore to pick up her prescription and she wanted to go to Home Hardware to buy a tool kit to have in her apartment. 

The worker just checked her mail with her, but did not go to the clerk in the post office to query the missing box, and Eileen was a bit afraid to ask her to do so. Fair enough. She went with her to the drugstore and walked in with her while Eileen got what she needed.  Then when it came time to go to Home Hardware the worker said that she was having "a lazy day" and wanted to just go to Tim Hortons. 

A LAZY DAY

How can someone who is being paid likely more than minimum wage to care for special needs people have a lazy day?  I wish someone would pay me $20 an hour to sit in Tim Hortons because I didn't feel like doing my job.

I was really annoyed when Eileen told me that.  Which really upset Eileen as well. I told her that she doesn't work for the care assistant, the care assistant works for her, and her job is to see to Eileen's needs and to help her with things, not have "lazy days."

Anyways.  I had to go to pick up my eye glasses and told Eileen I would take her to the Post Office when I got home.  I also ordered her a pretty pink lady's tool kit on Amazon that will be here today.

Huh  . . .  Lazy Day  . . .  I would complain to the head honcho, but that would only upset Eileen even more, and I don't want to do that.


 

Which brings me to my eye glasses.  I waited in there for ages and ages for someone to bring them out to me. Not that I minded, I am good at waiting, but Cindy and Dad were waiting in the car and that was worrying me. I finally had to go back to the desk and ask if it was going to be much longer as my father and sister were waiting in the car. That sped things up.

I got back home and picked up Eileen and we trundled off to the Post office. The tracking number we had been given was all wrong. We had to get on the phone to East Link. They were insisting it had been delivered and it was down to the Post Office. The Post Office could not find it with the information and it was not in their system due to a wrong tracking number.  Finally we got it sorted and she had her box, but it took at least 45 minutes to get it done. There is no way that Eileen could have done this all on her own. She really needed help.  I am glad that I was able to get it done for her and she kept saying, I'm so glad you are my mother.  (Which made me feel good, I'm not going to lie.) Anyways, its all sorted now and tonight she will be able to watch television hopefully.

But I am still annoyed with that care assistant, worker, or whatever her title is. Most of them are a.o.k. but this one. grrrrr I am biting my tongue. For Eileen's sake.


 

Douglas and his family are coming over from the Island today to go to the Atlantic Ashram. He messaged me late last night. They are spending the night tonight at his dad's, which is okay. There is no way I could have the room ready after Eileen only moving out today. It will take me a few days to sort it out. They are coming over this afternoon however to have a visit before they go to his dads, so I am pleased about that. I am sure I will see them off and on over the next week. I am looking forward to having them here. Maybe I will have a chance to bake them cookies in between Eileen moving and them coming for their visit. We will see.

Actually I am surprised that at the boy's ages (20, 17 and 15) that they still want to come to the camp and visit with their parents and grandparents. I am not sure that I would have at the same age. In fact, I can remember not going with mine the year I turned 16 as I had a summer job that I did not want to leave.

 

I have tried to keep my new glasses on this morning, but the change in prescription is so drastic that I have been unable to do so. I will wait until maybe tomorrow when there is nothing pressing for me to do and try to get used to them then. It is always a little bit iffy getting used to new eye glasses I find.

When I was in the optometrist office yesterday my old neighbor from across the road came in, Midge. We spoke for a few. She was wanting to know if I had a recipe for Breakfast Cookies. 

I sure do Midge. You can find it here as well if you want it. Big Bran Breakfast Cookies. Apparently she had some at a coffee shop when she was up in Ontario visiting her daughter and loved them so much she was wanting to make some of her own.


 

I just had a text from my daughter in law to say they have left and are on their way. I am grateful that they keep me updated like that. I am praying for a safe journey for them.  They are precious cargo. I know my son gets a bit stressed with the long drive. They usually turn it into a bit of a holiday however and take plenty of breaks. They have traditions like stopping at the big blueberry in Amherst and then again at Mastodon Ridge, a great place for the boys to get some fresh air, something to eat and to stretch their legs. Also a great place for Doug to rest for a bit before he has to start driving again.

My father was never like that. When we had a place to go, it was get in the car, put the pedal to the medal and no stops except for gas until we got where we were going. My ex husband was much the same. I never got to see the world's Largest Ball of String or anything like that. I do remember driving by Paul Bunyan and his Ox at some place on one of our trips.

My ex's famous saying whenever we got into the car was "Mouths shut, seatbelts on." Eileen still says it when we get on the road to go anywhere. Old habits die hard.

Maybe one day I will get to see the World's Largest Ball of String.



This is the famous statue of which I speak. It's in Minnesota. 



Or maybe it is this one in Rumford, Maine.  That is more likely.  In any case I do remember seeing a statue of Paul Bunyan and his ox in passing more than a few times.



This is the stinkiest place we ever drove through.  My my.  I remember stopping here once to get the kids some milkshakes as we were travelling through and nobody could drink them the smell in the air was so foul.  Pulp and paper.  It was really horrific. I don't know if it still smells like that or not, but I remember wondering to myself how on earth anyone could live there.

It is a memory stuck in my brain forever.



I picked up a box of strawberries yesterday and when I got them home and was cleaning them up, it ended up that at least half of the box was rotten or on the edge.  I was so disappointed. The good ones up there are in the small yellow bowl. The discards are in the larger blue bowl.

They said they were fresh picked. I don't think so. If that is the case then they need to reassess who they have picking berries.

They also didn't have much flavor. I am not sure what was up with that.


 

Well, I best get off here now. It is almost time to wake Eileen up and there is a lot to get done this morning, so I will leave you now with a thought for the day   . . . 


☾ ° ° * 。  
• ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ • •。★★ 。* 。
° 。 ° ˛˚˛ * _Π_____*。*˚
˚ ˛ •˛•˚ */______/~\。˚ ˚ ˛
˚ ˛ •˛• ˚ | 田田 |門 ★
*There is more to life
than increasing it's speed.
~Ghandi


Italian Pasta de Frittata


In The English Kitchen today  . . .  Italian Frittata de Pasta.  A delicious and simple supper made using only three basic ingredients and on the table in about 15 minutes. I made some bacon and cheesy garlic bread to go with it and a salad.


I hope you have a wonderful Wednesday. Whatever you get up to, stay safe, keep cool, and don't forget!

═══════════ღೋƸ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒღೋ═════════════ 
⊰✿░G░O░D⊰✿⊰L░O░V░E░S⊰✿⊰░Y░O░U░⊰✿
═══════════ ღೋƸ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒღೋ ════════════  

And I do too!