Dear Neighbor . . .

  

FRIDAY, September 19th, 2025

Estate Lane, Nova Scotia

15*C/60*F

Partly Sunny

Dear Neighbor,

I am late getting started this morning. I had a really difficult time falling asleep last night. I think it was almost 4 a.m. and then I was awake at 7. So, a sleepy day for me today, I think. I don't know why this happens. I have always had sleep problems. When something like a time change or having to stay up all night like I did Monday night occurs, it can take me a while to get my sleep patterns back in rhythm. Even after taking two Tylenol PM last night, it was still a quarter to four before I finally slept.  It's not that I wasn't tired, as I really was. It was just my do-wacka-doodle sleep problem kicking in. Trust me when I say it is extremely frustrating, which doesn't help.

 

(source)

I had a really nice lunch out with my friend Jackie yesterday. We went to this place called The Farmer's Diner, which is up country a bit behind Aylesford. Its a place I have always enjoyed going to.  Both of us had the turkey dinners.  There was quite a nice pile of roasted turkey on the plate along with mashed potatoes, swede, squash, stuffing, peas, corn, green beans, carrots and gravy. Alongside was some coleslaw and of course cranberry sauce. I always really enjoy a turkey dinner. Mom and I used to order a turkey dinner when we went out to dinner at The Big Scoop years and years ago. 

Of course, it was nice having a catch-up with Jackie. Oh, we see each other at church each week, but that is not much of a chance to have much of a conversation. We do speak on the telephone often, but there is just something special about spending time with a friend and breaking bread together in person.

I did all the driving yesterday.  Jackie had those strokes last year and I just felt more comfortable being behind the wheel with me driving. 

 

(source) 

I was finally able to get a tracking number from the seller on Etsy yesterday. (English is not her language. She speaks Turkish.) Anyways, I was able to go onto UPS and pay the customs owing and all being well, hopefully I will get my package today.  I still am not sure why I did not receive any notifications from them that I owed customs on the package so I am a bit unsure if I will actually get it or not. Time will tell. I sure hope that I do.  Including the customs I paid, I have now spent in excess of $100 for this package. I sure hope that it is worth it when it arrives!

I have never had a problem ordering or receiving a package on Etsy before. This was a first for me.

 

(source)

As you can see from the photo above my introduction to this letter, the colors of the leaves are now changing in earnest.  In another week or two the line of trees down the road which lies horizontal to my own road will put on a beautiful show of reds, russets and oranges. It is absolutely stunning at its height of color.  Yesterday the drive to the restaurant took us through some heavily wooded areas and it was so beautiful to see the colors changing. You would think after 70 years of seeing such it would get old, but it never does. I am delighted with the appearance of the changing leaves every single year. Every year is like the first time. 

What a beautiful gift it always is. I am so grateful that I live in a place where the climate and scenery changes with the seasons. Like Anne with an "E", I am a girl who loves Octobers.  (I love all of the "ber" months.)

One Christmas in the early 1960's my sister and I both got one of these dolls from Santa.  I have been thinking about her lately.  She was always one of my favorite Christmas gifts. She came wearing a peignoir set and with a complete vanity set and bed.  The vanity set had a little mirror that pulled up and was filled with tiny make-believe cosmetics. There was also a flock topped vanity puff for her to sit on. The top came off and things could be stored inside. My sister and I got many, many hours of joy playing with these dolls. They were completely articulated with knees and elbows that bent, wrists that moved, waists that moved etc.  We also got some very pretty crocheted dresses for them to wear, which had pearls crocheted right into the bodices. They also had a wrap with the same yarn. I remember it had silver threads running through the yarn. Very delicate. I had one color, and she had another. So that they wouldn't get mixed up I suppose. 

She was marketed as a suitable alternative to Barbie back in the day. I don't think this doll ever gained the popularity of a Barbie doll, but we loved ours.  Every odd time I will look to see if anyone has one for sale, but I have never been lucky enough to find one.

It is funny how Christmas gifts such as this will stick in your mind in a special way. I do not remember too many of the other gifts I might have gotten for Christmas, but this one has stayed with me all of my life.  This and these little rubber German Dolls we got around the same time.  They came in a set with about six dolls all dressed differently. Not large, maybe only 2 to 3 inches tall. Hard rubber and the clothes were glued on.  Oddly enough, my sister and I both remember these two gifts with the same interest and affection.

 

(source)

The number of gnats seem to have gone down considerably in the last few days. I am only seeing the odd one now. I am remaining vigilant however as it would only take two for them to increase in number again!  I am hoping that I will soon be able to pick up some apples and do some apple baking. I have been really loathe to have any kind of fresh food in the house such as apples or even vegetables.  

My daughter will be coming to stay with me next week and I really hope that I have a handle on them by then so that we can cook a few things together. I am keen to teach her a bit about healthy cooking and eating.  I bought some Little House Books for her to read while she is visiting with me. I thought she would enjoy them. 

Although she is learning disabled, she is quite a good reader. The books have to be of a kind that she can understand, however.  The Little House Books will be good for her. I know she has always loved the series.

The Guinea Hens continue to visit each morning. You are right Elizabeth; they can really create quite a storm of noise when they want to. I am surprised that none of them has gotten hit by a car yet.  The other day one was standing on top of Glenna's car. I do not know if they left their calling card.  The cats are always very amused and interested in watching them pass through the yard, as am I.

They are not the prettiest birds to be honest, but they are interesting. In the U.K. you could buy small ones in some of the more prestigious grocery shops for roasting. I was never tempted as the color did not appeal to me.

I have one lily that is still blooming. It has provided a pop of color in my garden this week. My garden is pretty much devoid of any other color. I really should contact that girl I had to do my gardens the last couple of years to come and clean things up.  She has done a really loved job every time I have had her and she has taken the dead leaves, etc. away as well. It has been money well spent.  But then again, perhaps I could hire Dan to do it? I am sure he could use the dosh. I will have to ask. He may not want to.  It doesn't hurt to ask, however.

Well, it is getting late now so I fear I must wind this up.  I hope that this missive has found you all well and content with life.  I do so enjoy these Friday writings to you. I hope that you do as well.

A thought to carry with you  . . . 

° * 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ •
•。★★ 。* 。
° 。 ° ˛˚˛ * _Π_____*。*˚
˚ ˛ •˛•˚ */______/~＼。˚ ˚ ˛
˚ ˛ •˛• ˚ ｜ 田田 ｜門 ★
*"Look deep into nature, 

and then you will 

understand everything better," 

~Albert Einstein  ° * 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ •

° * 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ • 

In The English Kitchen today  . . . Steakhouse Steak and Chips.  With a delicious Parsley Chimichurri Sauce. Simple ingredients put together in the most delicious way.

I hope that you have a lovely Friday.  I am supposed to go with Cindy to take Dad out with his friend Maryann this afternoon. I am not sure if I dare leave the house in case UPS tries to deliver the package. Do I dare to take the chance they will just leave it without me being home?  I don't know!  Will they even find my house as they haven't all week.  Time will tell.  In any case, I hope that you have a beautiful day.  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!