Dear Neighbor . . .

 

(source)

 FRIDAY, September 5th, 2025

Estate Lane, Nova Scotia

15*C/59*F

Overcast, it says rainy days ahead

(Here's hoping)

Air advisory still in effect

Wildfire still burning out of control

Dear Neighbor,

We are in for a very warm weekend, but the temperatures are set to drop on Monday.  That is to be expected. I am still seeing two hummingbirds at the feeder, both females. No males. According to what I have read online, the males have already started their migration. Next will be the females, and finally the young. It is just fascinating how this happens year after year and all by instinct. They say to keep the feeders up until at least mid-October in case there are any stragglers.

Dad will probably be able to come home today. Everything is checking out fine and he was able to go up and down a set of steps they have at the hospital yesterday so that is great news! He can't wait to get back to his cat and home and we are looking forward to him being back where he belongs. Fingers cross all goes according to plan this morning!  And that with each day that passes he goes from strength to strength, with things soon getting back to normal. Your prayers and happy thoughts have been very much appreciated.

Nutmeg with his bottlebrush tail. He is such a little character. As Cindy has dropped me off here at the house each time after our visits to dad, he has come to the screen window in the door to look out and say goodbye to her.  She rolls down the window and shouts out goodnight, Nutmeg and he meows back, very aware that she is talking to him. It has become a bit of a routine these past days.

I think he is quite smart, but then again  . . .  I am biased.

 

Cinnamon really couldn't care less.

She has become very fussy about what she eats as of late. I have turned myself inside out trying to find something she likes. It all gets at best, a cursory lick, and then she turns up her nose at it all. Things she has always liked and eaten in the past.  She has always been a little bit on the fussy side anyways, but it has gotten way worse.

I just keep telling myself, she will eat if she is hungry and I make sure their dry food is topped up. She does eat that, but again, after Nutmeg's illness I have had to change the dry food. They don't like the expensive Vet stuff anymore, neither of them, which means I am saving a lot of money by buying the cheaper stuff, but a bit of a nuisance having to change over all the same.

Cats. They really do have slaves.

 

(source)

Big news! It just started to rain. It's not a heavy downpour, but it is rain all the same and very welcome. Who knows how long it will last. My fingers are crossed.

All the children have gone back to school now. My Facebook feed the last few days has been full of "first day back to school" photos of all of my friends' children and grandchildren.  Kayla did post photos of Josh and Jake, but I haven't seen any photos of my other grands.

I have been so busy these past two weeks with everything I haven't really had much time to call my two older sons and have a conversation. Now that dad is going home (good, good) then I will have more time. 

And it is still raining. I am encouraged by that.

 

(source)

The Guinea Hens just went through. I wonder where they are coming from? They seem to go through here most mornings. They are quite large birds.  Sometimes they venture across the main road to the other side next to where I lived as a child. Somehow, they manage not to get hit by any cars, which is amazing to me as that is a very busy roadway.

I think my vigilance with the gnat bait is paying off, but I have my fingers crossed when I say that. I don't see as many flying around this morning. In fact, all I have seen are one that are deceased. Dare I hope? Time will tell. I have been doing all the suggestions.  Having four bait stations placed throughout my wee house, pouring boiling water down my drains every hour or so, keeping my drains stoppered in between times, etc.

I even found them in my freezer, laying dead across the bottom shelf. That is how bad this infestation has been. I really hope that I have cracked it as I have not wanted to have people over for a meal or anything because of them. What a nuisance they have been.

 

(source)

I have a quiet day planned today. I say quiet, but I will be quite busy catching up on all of the things which have gone by the wayside since Dad has been in hospital. I want to dust and vacuum and wash the floors, change my bed, etc. I won't be doing any cooking today, I don't think.

Yesterday afternoon, after our visit with dad, Cindy and I took a quick trip up to Greenwood. I had to pick up some cat litter etc. We popped into Sobey's, and they had their instore baked individual chicken pot pies on special, so I picked one up and I am planning on having that for my tea today. 

We have been told that they are very good.

So a general tidy up is in store for this place today. I know I have not spent all of my time at the hospital but in between visits I had work to do and then at the end of the day I have been too tired to do much of anything. I am reminded that I am no longer a spring chicken. 

 

(source)

I was late getting up this morning. It was past 6:30. I had a hard time falling asleep last night. After I had gotten into bed, I experienced some vertigo which was a bit unsettling, I think it was after midnight before I finally slept, so I was a bit later.

I get that every so often and when I do, it always spooks me. It will come on all of a sudden. There is no rhyme or reason to it. 

I make it a point not to clean my ears out with Q-tips or anything as I have heard in the past that that can cause vertigo by upsetting your ear crystals. Not sure how true that is, but I avoid the ear cleaning now just in case. 

I have always had problems with my inner ear. I get motion sickness very easily. I can't really tolerate sitting in the back seats of vehicles. I cannot go on swings, or on rides at fairs, etc. I cannot read in the car or look at my phone.  All of these things make me very ill.

I wish it were not so.

 

(source)

Tis the season  . . . 

For so long now I have kept all of my furniture very covered up, with blankets, etc. I am thinking of taking some of them off and just seeing how I get on.  I have been super focused on the cats not being able to scratch the furniture, so much so that I keep it all covered.  What's the point in having furniture if you only keep it covered. I will probably still keep the seats on the sofa covered for when dad comes over, but today I may take off the back and arm coverings. I am debating it in my mind in any case.

Eileen is coming to stay with me for a week and a half or so at the end of the month. Tim is going to visit his brother with his parents and so Eileen is coming here for a staycation.  It will be fun. Maybe we will go up to Port George one day and watch the seals from the car. Or up to Margaretville for a picnic. I would like to do something together that is a little bit special.

I don't really have a lot else to write about this morning. My life has been rather dull as of late. Not a lot going on. Except that it is still raining, and that is a good thing.

A thought to carry with you  . . . 

° * 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ •
•。★★ 。* 。
° 。 ° ˛˚˛ * _Π_____*。*˚
˚ ˛ •˛•˚ */______/~＼。˚ ˚ ˛
˚ ˛ •˛• ˚ ｜ 田田 ｜門 ★
*She praised the timeworn byways, 

 The limbs of crooked trees, 

 A distant caw, October’s breath.

~Ava Morag, The Land Maid

° * 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ •° * 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ • 

In The English Kitchen today, Cornflake Cookies.  These are similar to a chocolate chip cookie, but they are rolled in crushed cornflakes prior to baking, which gives them a nice crunch!

I hope your Friday is AMAZING!  Be happy. 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!

The gift of a new day each morning. How will I spend it. I hope wisely.

 

(source)

Quilts. I really love quilts.

 

(source)

Good Chocolate. I love a treat of a good chocolate every now and then. I used to love to pop into Hotel Chocolate in Chester every now and then. They had the nicest chocolates!

 

(source)

Stone walls and fences . . .  you see them a lot in the North of England and Wales.

 

(source)

Piano music. Especially Paul Cardall.  When I was a child, I longed to have piano lessons. I find piano music very relaxing.

 

(source)

Cowboys  . . .  I loved the miniseries Lonesome Dove back in the day.

 

(source)

Custard tarts  . . .  so yummy.

 

(source)

Kittens and warm sweaters. I love them both. 

 

(source)

Aga ranges  . . .  so cozy.

 

(source)

Farm fresh eggs. In England none of the eggs in the grocery shops are refrigerated. That used to freak me out a bit when I first moved over there.  Always refrigerate your eggs when you get them home.

 

(source)

Hot soups and stews  . . . 

 

(source)

Dried apples  . . . a healthy snack.

 

(source)

The smell of apples, orchards and farm markets in the autumn months  . . . 

 

(source)

September flowers and colors  . . . 

 

(source)

Blue eyes  . . . 

 

(source)

Puppies  . . .  they are so loveable.

(source)

Farm markets in the autumn  . . .  

 

(source)

Crochet blankets  . . . 

 

(source)

Old Cake Tins  . . . 

 

(source)

Country Mail Boxes . . . I had one in New Brunswick that I had painted with sunflowers all over it.

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

A thought to carry with you . . . 

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

 *.˛.°It is one of the blessings

of old friends that you can

afford to be stupid with them.

~Ralph Waldo Emmerson

.° * 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ •.° * 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ •

In The English Kitchen today  . . .  Spicy Portuguese Potatoes. These were simple and delicious. I hope you will give them a go! Boiled potatoes with a spicy onion sauce spooned over top.

Dad is improving slowly and surely. He had a really good lunch yesterday and had a good walk around as well, although he does need a lot of support when he is doing so, and rests frequently.

I hope that you have a lovely day. It is very foggy out there this morning. Typical September morning. The wildfire is ongoing, but I don't think it is growing at an alarming rate any longer and some people have been let to go back to their homes. Whatever you get up to today, don't forget!

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⊰✿░G░O░D⊰✿⊰L░O░V░E░S⊰✿⊰░Y░O░U░⊰✿

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And I do too!

 

Wednesday Witterings . . .

(source)

 

I was sitting on the front veranda last night, waiting for Cindy to arrive so we could go visit with dad, and I could smell BBQ in the air. It smelled so good. I could even tell what was on the barbeque. Hot Dogs. I always loved Hot Dogs on the barbeque. So naughty, but so nice.

I sat there, watching and listening to the birds. There were a few Mourning Doves across the road. Three, which is unusual as they usually travel in pairs I thought. Crows flying over.  A few other birds.  A bumble bee was visiting the lemon balm. A few wasps exploring the hummingbird feeder.  Change was in the air. We are going into a season of transition now, in between summer and autumn. The days are beginning to get noticeably shorter. It's dark now when I go to bed and dark when I wake up.

Air quality is still changeable with the fire still raging. I don't think it has gotten appreciably bigger, but it is still considered to be out of control. I am not quite ready to unpack my bag yet!

 

(source)

Dad seemed a bit low last night when we went in to see him. Not quite himself. It could just be that he was tired. I am sure he finds the time long. They had him up sitting in this large easy boy type of chair. Maryann and her daughter and son in law were in the visit him on Monday and had brought him some scratch cards. He had scratched them. I am not sure if he won anything or not. His vitals are all good, but he cannot walk very far at all. That is probably the main thing keeping them from letting him come home. He had a good lunch yesterday with some chicken, gravy, mashed potatoes and vegetables.  He could not remember what he had for supper, but he has progressed to solid food now which is good. He had finished one book and was ready to start another. 

He is doing well for the most part and that is a great blessing.

 

(source)

It is hard to believe that it has been 28 years now since Princess Diana passed away. I thought this was a particularly lovely photograph of her.  Eternally young. I can still remember what I was doing when I got the news that she had been in the accident.  We were living in Georgetown, Ontario at the time, and I was playing video games in the boy's bedroom with my two youngest sons. Yoshi's Island, which was a favorite game. My husband at the time was watching television in our bedroom and he called over to say that Diana had been in an accident.  I stopped playing the game of course and went in to watch the news with him.  I can remember that when I went to sleep about midnight, they were calling it the accident of Princess Diana and when I awoke the next morning, they were calling it the death of Princess Diana.

So much has been said about her and Charles's relationship/marriage. It was truly tragic any which way. I remember being very pleased that the two boys were allowed to marry for love rather than duty, and I believe both have been much happier for it.

I think she would have been proud of her boys and doted on her grandchildren. When all is said and done, I do believe that they are both very good men.

 

(source)

"Home is where the fire never goes out."

~Scottish Proverb

I was sitting here yesterday thinking about how blessed I am and about how much I love my wee little home. It is cozy to me and I have been blessed to be able to fill it with things which bring me joy. It is just the right size.  I would not want anything any larger, and even if I were to win the lottery, which I shan't because I don't buy tickets, I would not want a home much larger than this. Perhaps one more bedroom is all, and I would fit it all out in bunkbeds so everyone would have a place to sleep, but really for all the time that people spend here with me, that would probably be a wasted space as well. Two bedrooms and a study would probably do me fine.

A lighter airier kitchen, and a maid to clean it all. I don't think that's asking too much, lol

 

(source)

The gnats seem to have reduced a bit in number this morning.  Yesterday they seemed worse.  I have made baits (four in number and strategically placed) and have caught quite a few that way. I've been pouring boiling water down the drains periodically.  The sinks are all stoppered. The cat dishes are emptied and washed promptly after feeding times, likewise the litter box. I am not sure what else I can do but persevere and hope that they soon disappear. I have had two of those bug lights in the house, with the sticky pads, for over a year now and have caught quite a few that way over the months. 

I hate bugs. I don't keep fresh fruit in the house because of fruit flies. If I do bring it in, it is eaten right away. I keep my onions and potatoes out in the garage.  Fruit flies, gnats, ants. Those are three things which I really abhor.

And mice.

oh, and rats.

 

(source)

Have you ever made pumpkin jam?  I think I might have done so, many years ago. I think it was pumpkin butter actually and nobody was a huge fan. People in my family were not overly fond of pumpkin pie either, but they did enjoy pumpkin loaf and cake. 

The winter squashes will soon start appearing in the farm markets. I do so love winter squash. it is not something which I enjoyed when I was growing up, but as an adult I have come to love all of it. There are so many different kinds, and each have their own delicious qualities and flavors.

Each year I have tried to seek out and experience a new one. Last year it was the Candy Roaster Squash.  It kind of looked like a long and curved orange banana. It was quite delicious.

Squash, pumpkins, etc. They will all be appearing soon.

 

(source)

I think the children are all back to school today. Such an exciting day for them all. New teachers, new classrooms, etc. I think all except two of my grandchildren are in high school now and two have graduated. I am not sure what the two who are not will be doing this year.  I hope it will be a good year for all of them no matter what. 

I used to love the start of school in September. I was well bored from the summer and looked forward to the new school year. It was very much a social thing for me.  I was never much of an intellectual, although I did not do poorly. (It would not have been acceptable to my parents for me to do otherwise.) I did like the social aspect of school very much. Funny that because now as an adult I am a bit anti-social. I don't like crowds in the least and only like to be around people I enjoy being around. I enjoy church and Relief Society.  But I don't really like parties and things like that.  Social gatherings. I much prefer small, intimate, family-style of gatherings. That is where I am most comfortable and feel I can really be myself. I find myself not able to really relax in other situations.

Looking at this September Bucket list, it contains a lot of things that I would enjoy doing. I loved collecting leaves when I was a child.  Pressing them between sheets of wax paper. 

It's time to break out the pumpkin spice candles!

And with that, I will leave you with a thought for the day!

A thought to carry with you . . . 

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

 *Let us learn to live with kindness,
to love everyone,
even when they do not love us.
~Pope Francis  ° * 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ •

° * 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ •

In The English Kitchen today . . .  Chicken Valdostana.  An easy Italian recipe for a delicious chicken with ham and melty cheese, served with a delicious white wine pan sauce. Simple to make, and on the table in 15 minutes!

I hope you have a lovely Wednesday. Whatever you get up to, stay safe, 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, SEPTEMBER 2nd, 2025

 

(source)

OUTSIDE MY WINDOW ...

Not my window, but I wish. I love stained glass and quilts, etc. It 9*C/49*F. Mostly sunny, with no rain in sight. Its garbage day so the bags are all out and waiting at the end of the lawn. It will be fairly warm today. I love that the nights are nice and cool. Fires still burning. They are not updating us frequently as they were. I had to stop myself from looking anyways, as it was just making me anxious.  I have not seen hummingbirds for a few days now, but that is not to say they aren't there. I am just not seeing them.

 

(source)

I AM THINKING ...

I was having another anxiety dream just prior to waking this morning. I have dreams like that fairly often. In this one it was Christmas Eve, and I was having a really difficult time putting everything together. I didn't have enough presents for my children, and I hadn't wrapped any of what I did have, the tree wasn't finished being decorated and I couldn't get my son to go to bed so that I could finish things off. I couldn't tell which one it was.  It was like a combination of the middle and the youngest. I just was feeling very anxious and inadequate, which about sums up my life, I think. I think, deep down, I have always felt anxious and inadequate.

I hate anxiety dreams.

 

(source)

I AM ALSO THINKING ...

Still watching Love Island. I am stretching it out and haven't really had a lot of time for viewing television.  I have noticed that the girls are always making quite an effort with their looks. Makeup, hair, wardrobe, etc. The guys don't. They just show up. The girls are all invested. The guys are like bees hopping from flower to flower to flower. They seem to call all the shots. This is the U.K. version. There is an American girl on it as well. She plays all tough and like she has the upper hand, but really, she is no different than the rest, settling for less than she deserves. At least that is how I see it.  The women/girls in the show are much more mature than the men.

IN THE KITCHEN ...

A simple Tomato & Lentil Soup. This was quick and easy to make and delicious. I know I always say that what I cook is delicious, but it's true. It is delicious.

 

(source)

ON MY "TO COOK" LIST ...

Butternut Squash Ginger Pear Soup.  From She Loves Biscotti.  It just sounds delicious. I am so looking forward to squash season. It's my favorite time of year.

THIS I BELIEVE ...

Why I am an early riser. It is the best part of the day. I don't want to miss any of it if I can help it. I just love the early mornings. Nobody is about. It's fairly quiet except for the singing of the birds. I just love the early morning, a time of transition between night and day.

 

(source)

SOMETHING THAT IS NICE ...

Fresh garden tomatoes  . . .  so lovely fresh off the vine.

 

(source)

SOMETHING ELSE THAT IS NICE ...

Fresh figs. I love them. I love the color and I love the taste.

I AM WANTING TO CREATE ...

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Origami stars  . . .  I love playing with paper.

 

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A pretty garland  . . . 

 

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A magic wand  . . . 

 

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The moon and the stars  . . . 

 

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A simple owl mask . . . 

 

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SOMETHING I ENJOY ...

Patterns of light and shadow  . . . 

 

(source)

SOMETHING ELSE I ENJOY ...

The month of September. I like to think of September as the second "New Year."  It's an in between month. In between summer and autumn. A time of gathering in, or at least the beginning of it, and new beginnings, with the start of the new school year. 

 

(source)

OH MY GOODNESS ...

Such a gentle creature. Innocent.

I AM READING ...

SPINNING JENNY, by Sylvia Ann McLain

Book one of the Spinning Jenny series

"I guess I'll name you Jenny, something I can say easy. That was my mammy's name, anyway. Jenny. You be Jenny from now on..." Cornelius Carson's mother cautioned him never to own slaves, but in 1830s Louisiana, land and slaves are proof of a man's worth. 

At 23 Cornelius is ambitious, and in love. He owns one elderly slave, Malachi, and a small cotton farm along Bayou Cocodrie. And he plans to marry Stephanie Coqterre, daughter of a wealthy Natchez planter. He needs another field-hand, but prices are high. So when a trader brings a coffle of smuggled slaves to Natchez, Cornelius buys a 10-year-old girl. She is mute and nameless, but she's all he can afford. He names her Jenny. 

 It quickly becomes apparent that Jenny will change life on the Cocodrie as much as it changes her. The winds of ambition are blowing everywhere, both among the whites, who strive for wealth and status, and among the slaves, who yearn for freedom. But dangers are everywhere, too. 

As madness and treachery reach from Natchez to the Cocodrie to blast all their dreams, Cornelius struggles to find a way to salvage his life and the lives of Jenny and Malachi as well.

Very well written.

THINGS THAT CATCH MY FANCY ...

 

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Vintage cookie cutters  . . . 

 

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Embroidered linens  . . . 

 

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A mason jar full of cookies  . . . 

 

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A place for everything, and everything in its place . . . 

 

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Teasle  . . .  birds love it.

 

(source)

I AM GRATEFUL FOR ...

A place to lay my head at night.

 

(source)

MAKES ME SMILE ...

The love of a parent for a child.

Dad is doing much better. He is not in as much pain. He was sitting up comfortably last night in his chair. We need to work on him strengthening his leg muscles.

SOMETHING TO WATCH ...

Love Happens.  Netflix.

A THOUGHT TO CARRY WITH YOU ...

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

 *Never get tired of 

doing little things for others.

Sometimes those little things

occupy the biggest part of their hearts.

~Unknown   ° * 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ •

° * 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ •

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!