Dear Neighbor . . .

 

(source)

 May 29th, 2026

Estate Lane,

Nova Scotia

6*C/43*F

Cloudy with a chance of meatballs

(Sorry couldn't resist)

Dear Neighbor,

How can this be the last Friday in the month of May, in a year where the days seem to be slipping off the calendar far too quickly for my liking.  This year is passing by far too fast.  I don't like it when time slips away like that . . . 

At least I am not bored, with days that drag on infinitum.  That would be far worse.

 

(source)

This is one of the cards that someone sent me when I moved

here into my place. I have it framed and hanging in my entryway.

Eileen went with one of her workers to pick up her apartment keys yesterday. Her dad met her there and had a walk through with them, to see if any work needed doing, etc.  He went after and had several sets of keys cut and then dropped them off at mine.  I had a look at the lease (will go to see the place on Saturday) and everything looks in good order. I am a bit concerned about the cost, but that is the going rate for places now. The rent is almost as much as I pay here for my place. My ex assured me that the CSS worker said that it would be taken care of.  They must subsidize the rents somehow. I don't know how it works.  I still think she will need a lot of help.  I am here to give it for as long as I am able to.

He has a sofa for her and a chair, but he thinks now that the sofa might be too big. He is going to take measurements. It will all work out. I have placed it into God's hands. 

 

Dan came over yesterday afternoon and put my coffee table together. He did an excellent job and I am ever so pleased with it. I have someone on Facebook that wants the damaged one. They should be able to fix the top no problem. I was just not going to accept a damaged one when I had paid for a new one. Hopefully, with any luck, it will be gone from my garage this weekend.

The new table does look really nice in my living area. I love that it has two drawers, one on either side, to hold the remotes, etc. The old coffee table I had was only ever meant to be temporary and until I could afford something better. It will be going to Eileen's new place and will work as a great television stand for her television and her dvd player.

And when I can afford it a bit further down the road, I will perhaps get a new end table to replace that cheap one I bought, or not  . . . we will see. I have a pretty throw covering it at the moment and it works well. There is no point in replacing it just yet, if at all.

 

The Guinea Fowl were right up by my front railing yesterday.  The cats were quite amazed at these HUGE birds so close up and making so much noise.  I don't mind their visiting at all as they eat tics. And I hate tics.

The man came through and did all of the weed wacking, but nobody came through to mow.  The lawns are looking quite overgrown at the moment. When they do come, no doubt there will be huge clumps of grass left all over the lawns. They do not mow them often enough. But I cannot complain. The fact that I don't have to do it myself, or pay someone to do it is enough for me.

 

(source)

My toe nail lady was here on Wednesday.  I am a bit concerned about her.  I had spoken with her at the weekend. She was on her way back from Lunenburg so said she would contact me when she got in, but didn't. So I contacted her again to tell her that I wouldn't be able to do the Tuesday appointment so could I rearrange it for another day.  We decided upon Wednesday, but she still showed up on Tuesday morning. She did come back on Wednesday.  But  . . . 

She did my left food twice and only filed my right foot. It's like she completely forgot to cut the nails. I did not know what to do or say. I just paid her and left it at that. I think she is losing her memory, or beginning some dementia.  She is my age or maybe even a bit older. She used to do mom's toenails. 

I am not sure what to do. On the one hand I don't want to hurt her feelings or compound the problem, and yet on the other, I want my nails done properly.  Its a bit awkward to say the least.  

 

(source)

I am dropping Eileen off at Tim Horton's in town this morning. She wants to have breakfast and visit a bit with her friends before her People's First meeting a bit later on.  She is looking forward to having one of their breakfast bowls.  She likes them. She has points on her app that will pay for it and if she doesn't use them up, she will lose them. It is important that she has time to socialize with her friends, and get out and about.  I will be going with Cindy to take dad to the mall with his friend Maryann this afternoon.

Dan is coming over this morning to get my cardboard to take it to the recycle place, all being well. The bin men don't pick up Styrofoam anymore either. You have to take that to the recycle place also. It is hard to know what they will or will not take anymore. There used to be a spring and an autumn clean up where you could put things that you wanted to get rid of out by the roadway. They no longer have them. Instead you supposedly can put up to two large items out each bin day.  I haven't put it into practice yet.

 

(source)

Within a thick and spreading hawthorn bush

That overhung a molehill large and round,

I heard from morn to morn a merry thrush,

Sing hymns to sunrise, and I drank the sound

With joy, and often, an intruding guest,

I watched her secret toil from day to day --

How true she warped the moss to form a nest,

And modelled it within with wood and clay;

And by and by, the heath bells gilt with dew,

There lay her shining eggs, as bright as flowers,

Ink spotted over shells of greeny blue;

And there I witnessed, in the sunny hours,

A brood of nature's minstrels chirp and fly,

Glad as the sunshine and the laughing sky.

~John Clarke (1793-1864)

The Thrush's Nest

No thrush's here, but I am seeing a few different birds. Earlier this week there was an Indigo bunting, and I have gold finches, chickadees, woodpeckers, blackbirds, jays, and yesterday I noticed a different bird, but I didn't get a chance to really have a good look at it.  I am hoping it will come again so I can see it a bit better.

When I lived at Oak Cottage there used to be a song thrush that sang from the chimney pot on the roof of the Estate Manager's cottage next door. It would be up there at dusk and at dawn. Such a beautiful song it would sing. I loved to listen to it.  What a great blessing it was to have been made privy to such a lovely environment to live in while it lasted. Something not many people get to experience in a life time  . . .  at least not this humble girl from the backwoods of Nova Scotia.

Those are all experiences that I am truly grateful for.

 

(source)

Now that looks a very pleasant place to sit and think doesn't it? I love the way the light is playing into the room. I am a huge fan of light as you know. It looks a very rustic place.

I don't have a lot planned this weekend. To go and see Eileen's apartment and perhaps take a few things over. They are holding church down in Annapolis this Sunday so I won't be going. Its an hour drive down and two hours there and an hour drive back, plus they always have a munch and mingle after when they hold it there. I don't want to be away from Eileen for that long. I know . . .  she is an adult and can be left on her own, and will indeed be living on her own, but I am drinking in as much time I have to spend with her that I can while it lasts for as long as it lasts.

It was so hard being so far away from my family for all those years, not just the distance, but the time distance. You would not think that four hours difference in time would be all that much, but it really is. Especially when you are trying to work around people's work schedules, etc. When I was up they were sleeping and when I was finished work, they were still working and when they were done, I was ready for bed. Time  . . .  there never is really enough is there?

And with that I will end this missive for today with . . .

A thought to carry with you . . .

☾ ° ★° * 。  

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

*On earth there is no heaven,
But there are pieces of it.
~Jules Renard

In The English Kitchen today   . . .  Grilled Cheese Sandwich Salad.  A delicious mixed salad, topped with toasty grilled cheese croutons and a delightfully fresh Lemon Thyme and Honey Mustard Vinaigrette dressing! Altogether fabulous!

I do hope your Friday is all that you hope and wish for it to be.  Whatever you get up to, 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)

Goats. They are loaded with character. 

 

(source)

White  . . .  towels, bedding, dishes, etc.

 

This  . . . 

 

(source)

The boxed lunch . . . I remember a farm visit down in Devon for the food blog and we were all given boxed lunches. Opening them was like opening a gift.  A surprise and a delight!

 

(source)

A basket of flowers  . . . 

 

(source)

Old watering cans . . . 

 

(source)

A painted dresser  . . .  and it's pink!

 

(source)

Growing things  . . . fresh garden veg  . . . 

 

(source)

Bumble Bees  . . . 

 

(source)

Pink roses  . . . . 

 

(source)

Pretty embroidery  . . . 

 

(source)

After the rain  . . . 

 

(source)

Blue and white  . . . 

 

(source)

Lemon anything  . . . 

 

(source)

A cast iron, enamel finished,  oil fueled kitchen range  . . . 

 

(source)

Kittens, so cute . . .  they will fall asleep anywhere . . . 

 

(source)

Door curtains  . . .  there is a European custom of having curtains that you can pull across the door in winter to help to keep out the cold. I love it.

 

 

(source)

Elderflower  . . .  the blooms make the best cordial and syrups.

 

(source)

Flower festooned cottages . . . I lived in one once upon a time . . . so beautiful.

 

(source)

Fresh bread and butter  . . .  I wish I could cut slices that evenly  . . . 

 

(source)

Geraniums  . . . 

 

(source)

Fresh linens  . . . so pretty . . . 

 

(source)

A balcony with a view  . . . 

 

(source)

White doves in flight  . . .  so pretty  . . . 

And those are my favorite things for this week  . . . 

A thought to carry with you . . . 

☾ ° ★° * 。  

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

*May gladness touch your life

as sweetly as you have touched

the lives of others.

~Rebecca Forsythe

 

In The English Kitchen today  . . .  Creamy Baked Chicken. Also called Baked Chicken that Makes it's own gravy.  Its an old recipe which uses simple ingredients.  You dampen your bone in skin on chicken and then shake it in seasoned flour. Place into a dish. Pour a mix of cream and water or stock around it and bake, long and slow until the chicken gets a lovely crispy skin and melts in the mouth and those juices form a lush delicious gravy. Simple. Delicious.

Eileen has a date for an ultrasound on the 17th of June. Things should progress from there I am assuming. She is also getting the keys to her apartment today. Her dad is going with her to look at it.  There is some repair work needed on one of the floors, so he is going to check that out. Eileen is hoping that Cindy and I will go take a look on Saturday.  I will bring some things over then that I have been saving for her as well. Slow and steady.

I hope you have a lovely Thursday.  I expect a fairly quiet day here today.  A pottering day. We will see what comes up.  Whatever you get up to, I hope 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!    

   

Wednesday Witterings . . .

 

(source)

I think that I shall never see
A poem lovely as a tree.

A tree whose hungry mouth is prest
Against the earth’s sweet flowing breast;

A tree that looks at God all day,
And lifts her leafy arms to pray;

A tree that may in summer wear
A nest of robins in her hair;

Upon whose bosom snow has lain;
Who intimately lives with rain.

Poems are made by fools like me,
But only God can make a tree.

~Joyce Kilmer

I have always had a great love for trees. I remember having to memorize this poem when I was in elementary school. It spoke to me then and it speaks to me now. I love to think about the living, beating heart of every tree, arms uplifted in prayer with nesting robins in it's hair.

When I lived at Oak Cottage, the cottage was surrounded by apple orchards. Rows and rows of beautiful apple trees. From our library window at the back of the cottage, I could look over one of the orchards. All of the seasons of the year were presented magnificently through that vista.  It was beautiful any time of the year. In the spring it was loaded with blossom and the hum of bees, then in summer the beautiful leaf and growing fruit, the autumn brought noisy days as the apple pickers went about their work and then in the winter, all was sparse and bleak, sleepily awaiting the advent of spring when the orchard would  come alive all  over again.  A simple rite of passage that happened like clockwork with the passing of each year. 

I am so very grateful for having had the experience of living there and in that beautiful country.

 

(source)

Well we all got our hair cut yesterday afternoon.  Cindy, myself, and Eileen. It feels good for my hair to have some shape again and Eileen really enjoyed the pampering experience of it all.  It is not something which she gets to do very often. I will miss her ponytail for the time being, but it is what she wanted. She just had it cut into a shoulder length bob. It looks great.

Cindy looked fabulous also. She looks more like mom the older she gets. I don't think I realized how much mom she looked in the past.  Mom was always a really beautiful woman and Cindy has always been really pretty also. Me, I have too many of my father's genes to be pretty, but that's okay. We are all unique.

Dad, Eileen and I are like three peas in a pod. There is no denying we are family.

 

 

(source)

The new top for my coffee table arrived yesterday. It seems they sent me a whole new coffee table. The guy who delivered it just left it on my doorstep. He didn't even ring the doorbell. It was quite heavy so I cannot blame him really.  I couldn't get it into the house. Dan came over after supper last night and manhandled it into my house and took the broken one out to the garage.  Its a shame really, just one corner is cracked from the top of the first one. As far as I know, I guess, I haven't had it all out of the box.  I am hoping that I will be able to give it away to someone who is handy and who doesn't mind getting  free coffee table that only needs a minor adjustment to the top.

I ordered myself a walker yesterday. Dad needed his back and I think it will come in handy when Eileen has her operation. We still have had no word on any further testing, etc.  Her worker is going to call the Doctor today. For some reason Eileen wanted her to do it and not me. I suppose for continuity as her worker is the one who normally deals with all of her appointments. I totally understand.  The Doctors office is used to dealing with the worker as well. Hopefully we will soon know what is going on.

 

(source)

My footcare lady is coming today to do my toenails. She is the same lady who used to do mom's.  She can talk for England as they say. She is loaded with conversation. The gift of gab is a good one to have when you are in that line of work. Well, any line of work that deals with the public I guess. Because she does in-home footcare, most of her clients are elderly.  They love to have someone to talk to. My friend Jo in the U.K. did in-home footcare as well and her clients were all elderly.  Jo is Irish and she really has the gift of the gab, so that was a talent that came in really handy.

I, myself, would not care to work with people's feet. Just the thought gives me the "ick" as the younger generation would say. It takes a special kind of person, I think, to be able to do such a thing.  And having the gift of gab is a part of the job.

 

(source)

We have taken to watching a lot of the Osmond videos on YouTube as of late. I watched Alan Osmond's funeral and then ever since then YT has been prompting me to watch other videos of the family. If you will recall Jay and his wife were actually members of my church congregation in the U.K. for a time. I used to sit with Karen in Relief Society all the time. They were very nice people.

The more I watch their videos the more I come to know that these were and are really good people, with great values. You can tell that they all love each other very much. It is sad that two of them are gone now, Alan and Wayne.  The Osmond's were all still very popular in the U.K. 

I used to love their music when I was a teeny bopper. My favorite one was actually Jay as he was just a little bit older than I. Admittedly that was kind of weird having the guy whose poster you used to have hung on your bedroom door as your friend at church as an adult, but . . . life is a strange thing sometimes.

Eileen quite likes their music. She keeps saying to me, "Mom, you have turned me on to them!"

 

(source)

Doug video called me from PEI yesterday. He was making Katsu Curry for their supper. He loves to cook. It looked fantastic. He only has two more weeks before he has to be back to work, after having been put off work by his Doctor these past three months. I hope he is feeling rested enough to be able to go back and cope well with his job. 

Anyways, we had a nice conversation. They will be coming over in July for that Christian camp again. We are not sure of where they will stay at the moment. A lot depends on if Eileen is still with me, although I suppose they could stay in her place temporarily.  It would only be for one night either end of the camp. Josh has a summer job on a garlic farm so is limited to how many days he can be away. It won't be long before the boys will all be grown up and having their own lives, and not able to come over with their mom and dad.

I hope that I will still get to see them.  I cannot tell you how grateful I am to have had these last 5 1/2 years being so much closer to my children and grandchildren. It has meant the world to me, even if we don't get to see each other but once or twice a year. I was laying in bed last night thinking how very grateful I am to be able to spend this time with Eileen now. We are, hopefully, building some sweet memories that will last for well after I leave this earth.

 

I saw this on FB yesterday and it resonated. I told Eileen, I'm not fat, I'm just flavorsome! We both had a laugh about that.

I took a photo of my two babies sleeping together in a rare moment of quiet last evening. They looked so sweet laying there next to each other. It made my heart go pitter pat.

Well, I suppose I best get my skates on. My foot lady is coming at 10 and I have a few things to get organized before them. 

I will leave you with my usual thought for the day. 

☾ ° ★° * 。  

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

*Maybe the secret

to having a good life

is realizing how good

it already is.

~unknown

In The English Kitchen today  . . .  Applesauce Buttermilk Muffins. These were really good muffins and a great way to use up some applesauce that I had left in a jar in the fridge.  Moist and delicious with a beautiful crumb! If you like muffins you will love these!

I hope you have a lovely Wednesday. We should be going out to supper with Dad tonight. Eileen really looks forward to those outings and getting to spend some time with Dad and Cindy. She loves her family.  Whatever you get up to today, stay safe, be happy, be blessed, 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 Day Book . . .

 

FOR TODAY, May 26th, 2026

OUTSIDE MY WINDOW ...

All is calm.  We are supposed to have a dry day today, but some rainy days ahead. It's a bit chilly but no frost. It's garbage day, so the street is lined with bin bags.

 

(source)

I AM THINKING ...

Cindy, Eileen and I are all going to the hair dressers this afternoon to have our hair cut. I hope we are all happy with the results.  Mine is not too hard to do.  Eileen has quite a bit of hair to be cut off. We are thinking a shoulder length bob cut and a bit of a fringe so that she can still put it into a pony tail if she wants when it gets hot in the summer. She is really looking forward to this.

 

(source)

I AM ALSO THINKING ...

I often try not to think about things that are worrisome or troubling.  I squelch those thoughts down where my mind can't find them. Sometimes life is better that way. I guess I can be a bit about an Ostrich in that respect, burying it's head in the sand.

 

(source)

I AM GRATEFUL FOR ...

I have much to be grateful for.  Family that I love who love me back. A roof over my head that also gives shelter to my daughter. Food in my belly and clothes on my back.  I have a car.  I have two lovely cats. I have relatively good health, a cozy bed to sleep in. My cup runneth over.

I AM ALSO GRATEFUL FOR ...

Each of you. Many of you have been coming here for a very long time now.  I so appreciate your many kindnesses through the years and your love and support. You are my gentle souls.

IN THE KITCHEN ...

A delicious Irish Cheese Toastie. This made for a lovely, quick, and easy protein filled light supper yesterday.  Eileen and I each enjoyed one with a hot mug of tomato soup. It was a rainy day and this went down a real treat. We had a cheeky donut for dessert.

ON MY "TO COOK" LIST ...

The Anthony Kitchen. These look fabulous. I love LOVE potato tacos!

THIS I BELIEVE ...

I have plenty to spare if anyone wants some. lol (Long haired cats.  They shed a lot. I don't mind. I love them.)

SOMETHING THAT IS NICE ...

 

(source)

Fresh Spring Asparagus  . . . 

SOMETHING ELSE THAT IS NICE ...

 

(source)

A bar of good chocolate. It's called balance, lol.

I AM WANTING TO CREATE ...

 

(source)

Tea towels with pretty edgings  . . . 

 

(source)

Cherry edging  . . .  so pretty.

 

(source)

Cherry kisses?  Yes please!! They are on the edge of a very pretty shawl. 

 

(source)

Crochet Fairy bunting  . . . 

 

(source)

Strawberry Pot Holders  . . . 

SOMETHING I ENJOY ...

 

(source)

I really enjoy my cats. Eileen does too. They are very accepting of her now and will lay next to her on the sofa. That warms my heart. It warms her heart too!

SOMETHING ELSE I ENJOY ...

 

(source)

Collecting quotes  . . .  I love collecting quotes.

I AM READING ...

THE ISLAND OF SEA WOMEN, by Lisa See 

“A mesmerizing new historical novel” from Lisa See, the bestselling author of The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane, about female friendship and devastating family secrets on a small Korean island.

 Mi-ja and Young-sook, two girls living on the Korean island of Jeju, are best friends who come from very different backgrounds. When they are old enough, they begin working in the sea with their village’s all-female diving collective, led by Young-sook’s mother. As the girls take up their positions as baby divers, they know they are beginning a life of excitement and responsibility—but also danger. Despite their love for each other, Mi-ja and Young-sook find it impossible to ignore their differences.

 The Island of Sea Women takes place over many decades, beginning during a period of Japanese colonialism in the 1930s and 1940s, followed by World War II, the Korean War, through the era of cell phones and wet suits for the women divers. Throughout this time, the residents of Jeju find themselves caught between warring empires. Mi-ja is the daughter of a Japanese collaborator. Young-sook was born into a long line of haenyeo and will inherit her mother’s position leading the divers in their village.

 Little do the two friends know that forces outside their control will push their friendship to the breaking point. “This vivid…thoughtful and empathetic” novel (The New York Times Book Review) illuminates a world turned upside down, one where the women are in charge and the men take care of the children. “A wonderful ode to a truly singular group of women” (Publishers Weekly), The Island of Sea Women is a “beautiful story…about the endurance of friendship when it’s pushed to its limits, and you…will love it” (Cosmopolitan).

I love oriental culture and history.

THINGS THAT CATCH MY FANCY ...

 

(source)

Lacy shawls  . . . 

 

(source)

Books and flowers  . . . 

 

(source)

That window above the door  . . . 

 

(source)

Botanicals  . . . . 

 

(source)

Fresh air  . . . 

MAKES ME SMILE ...

Photos of my two when they were just kittens  . . .  so cute.

SOMETHING TO WATCH ...

The Boroughs, on Netflix 

A THOUGHT TO CARRY WITH YOU ...

☾ ° ★° * 。  

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

*I have learned to be content
whatever the circumstances.

~Phil 4:11• ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ • •。★★ 。*  

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!