Dear Neighbor . . .

 

FRIDAY, January 9th, 2026

Estate Lane, Nova Scotia

-2*C/28*F partly cloudy 

Dear Neighbor,

What a difference just a few days can make in the weather. On Wednesday we had torrents of rain. Most of the snow which was lining our roadways has melted away into puddles and much of the snow on the lawns has shrunk down from the huge piles that were there. Massive pot holes have appeared on many of the roads. You really have to be careful where you drive and need always keep an eye out just in case. I read yesterday where there was a huge pile up of cars with flat tires lined up on one of the roads just up country a ways from here. A man with a torch was trying to guide cars away from this huge pot hole which had been the culprit. They don't seem to do much other than cold-patch the potholes here. Nothing permanent is ever done. You see the same ones appearing season after season. Much care needs to be taken when driving on our roads. You drive down them like you are in a dodgem car, weaving back and forth to miss them.

 

(source)

I had purchased a Hello Fresh box earlier this week. When it arrived, every single bit of produce in it was frozen solid. Spring mix, spring onions, fresh tomatoes, peppers, potatoes, carrots, etc. Every single piece. The meat was frozen as well, which is not a bad thing, unless it had previously been thawed out. (You have no way of knowing.)  I ended up giving them a 1 star review on Pilot as this is not the first time I have had issues with them. They did end up issuing me with a credit, but I would have to buy another box in order to redeem it.  I would have been much happier if they had just refunded my money for the box, as I am not likely to get another box from them again. They have a very poor track record with me.  Meat arriving broken open, or thawed having been previously frozen with no use by dates on it. You feel pressured to use it up or cook it right away for fear of food poisoning, especially with the poultry.

I miss grocery deliveries like they had in the U.K. You went online, did your shopping and then it was delivered to your door for a small fee, or free if you were a member.  That is how I bought most of my groceries. Occasionally there was something that wasn't fit for purpose, but they always refunded your money in that case. It did not happen very often.

I could order meats, cheeses, dairy, produce, etc. from individual suppliers as well and have it arrive basically overnight. I used to get beautiful tomatoes from the Isle of Wight.

I know this is a much larger country and it is a lot more difficult to do here.  But I do miss it.

I discovered the most charming channel on YouTube yesterday. Ruth Aisling. 

"Rediscovering my home country of Scotland after living overseas for 12 years. Join me as I explore Scotland in my campervan Ernie."

I watched only one video and I was instantly charmed.  The one I watched she stayed in a remote Scottish Farmhouse on the Orkney Islands for a week.  The house was just like a museum. I found myself wishing that I could stay in it for a while. She also explored bits of the Island that she was on. It was really fascinating and I quite enjoyed it. I am looking forward to watching more of her content.

 

(source)

I had so wanted to have a video channel like that for myself, where I could share nice bits of my life with people, but I gave up on that idea. First of all I was not very good at it, and secondly I got scared off after what I saw happening to another lady I watch on YouTube called Anna and the incessant bullying that I saw occurring. I do not have that thick a skin. It would break me. Thirdly, I realized I was building a rod for my back. I have barely enough time to get the things I need to get done now, adding another  task to my workdays was seemingly impossible for me. I take a great deal of pride in what I do. I like always to do my best work in everything.  I was sadly lacking in the talent and knowledge to put together a decent video and I had nobody to show me how to do it.  I am usually not a quitter, but I had to admit in this case, I couldn't continue . . . the videos, in all honesty, were just really bad, and my life is just not all that interesting.

 

(source)

I was finally able to call my next door neighbor and wish her a Happy New Year yesterday. I had been wanting to do it since the first of the year but every time I thought to do it I would check and she had company so I thought to do it later, and then the time would get away from me.  I finally made it happen yesterday. For once when I looked out nobody was at her place and so I gave her a call. I had not been over either because of the snow and the slipperiness. I am so afraid of falling now, and they do not do a very good job of clearing the snow on this street. We had a nice conversation and I think she was pleased to hear from me. I know I should be a better neighbor and check on her more often. I usually do when I bring her over a meal or whatnot, but I haven't even done that since before Christmas due to the bad weather and having company, etc. I must do better. I had always planned on going down to visit our mother's friend Will and didn't and then it was too late. She was gone, and I was regretting my failure to visit her. I have no excuse really. 

 

(source)

My middle son Doug and his oldest son Jon are coming over next week to spend a few days with me. I am looking forward to seeing and spending time with them. I really didn't get to spend too much time with them last summer as they were at that Camp. They are coming over to it again next July with the whole family, but this time it will just be those two.  

Jon recently built his own computer. That is quite an accomplishment!  This is a photo of it.  I am very proud of him. I could not do such a thing.  I think he did a great job!

And speaking of grandsons  . . . 

Today is my grandson Josh's 17th Birthday.  The boys are all growing up so quickly. I don't have a really recent photo of him as he is very camera shy.  I was able to talk to him the other day however and wish him a Happy Birthday and I sent him a card with a gift, which he had received. He is my grandson who loves to cook and experiment with food, recipes and science. He also loved playing Battleships with me when they were over last.  I know I am a bit biased, but I do think I have lovely grandsons.

I am so grateful for the opportunity that I now have to be able to spend time with them and foster relationships with them. I did not have that when I was living in the U.K.

 

We were able to get out for supper with Dad on Wednesday night this week.  We went to the usual place. I decided to play it safe this week and ordered the fish and chips as they usually don't mess that up very much. It was good.  Dad had the fish and clams and Cindy had the fish and chips, same as I did. His favorite waitress (Audrey) was there and made a big fuss over him. Giving him a big hug, etc. He was really pleased with that. He should soon be able to order his new hearing aids which hopefully will make a big difference in his hearing and ability to hold a conversation. It is so difficult at the moment.

Anyways, we enjoyed our time together. It is going to be his 92nd birthday on the 17th. which is a week from tomorrow. I don't know if we are going to do anything special or not. Probably just have a special meal at home.

 

(source)

Not much else has really been going on here. My days are very similar with one passing much in the same way as the last with a bit of this and a bit of that and a whole lot of nothing.  I cannot seem to get control of the rash on my left arm. Nothing I have tried seems to work. I have ordered some Zostrix from Amazon and I will see if that makes a difference.  It is very itchy and is not going away. I try not to scratch it but find myself doing just that often without even thinking about it and of course my arm is still very painful, but I think that is more down to the fall I had rather than the shingles as it feels muscular and not superficial. The calamine lotion is not helping at all with anything other than making a mess when I try to apply it.

I had ordered some yarn at the end of November to make a tea cozy to replace this one that I had to leave in the U.K. when I left. I still have not received it. I did make enquiries. I usually order my yarn from Love Crafts. I like British yarns better.  Anyways when I ordered it I accidentally ordered it from the American site and so it has had to go from the U.K. to America and then on to Canada. It has only just left the American postal service. Usually when I order it on the proper page I get it within a week.  This has been a real nuisance.  I need to be more careful in future when I am placing my orders.

 

(source)

Cindy and I have plans to take Dad this afternoon and pick up his friend Maryann for their weekly visit to A&W. They have not gone since before Christmas, what with the holidays and bad weather. Dad is really looking forward to it as am I.  It is nice to get out and about a bit.

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

☾ ° ★° * 。  

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

*Happiness is not

by chance

but by choice.

~Jim Rohn 

In The English Kitchen today, Country Farmhouse Breakfast Baked Oatmeal. This is a deliciously different way of preparing your oatmeal in the morning by baking it in the oven. It is rich and creamy and loaded with lots of dried apple and cranberries.  It is low in fat and sugar and full of fiber. Its also really delicious, especially if you serve it with cream to drizzle over top!

I hope you have a lovely day today.  Stay safe. Stay warm. Be happy!  Don't forget!

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And I do too!