Friday, April 15th - Happy Easter (part 2)

 I returned from PEI on April 4th just in time to stop at the pharmacy and pick up the eye drops I needed to start that day. My 2nd cataract surgery was scheduled for the 7th (Thursday). 

I wasn't the only one "going under the knife". Pepe Le Pew was being neutered on Tuesday so we would be convalescing together. I dropped him off at 9:00 on Tuesday morning and picked him up at 5:00. He was wearing a cone around his neck and was not a happy camper. I took him home and within half an hour, he had the cone off. I tied it tighter so it would be harder to get off. That lasted a couple more days and then he had it off again.  I've been keeping an eye on him and he's not bothering his incision so I think we're okay. 

Patti picked me up on Thursday morning and dropped me off at the hospital around 11:00. I was about half an hour early but they started prepping me right away. My surgery was actually scheduled to take place at 1:30 but by 1:20 I was done and sitting in a wheel chair waiting for Patti to pick me up. 

Poor girl had made plans to go for lunch with a friend and was really surprised when they called and told her I was done before I was scheduled to start. Fortunately they had at least finished eating. 

I spend a quiet afternoon at their house and had an early evening. She drove me home early the next morning. I was eager to get back to make sure his nibs hadn't hung himself with the cone or anything in my absence over night. But all was good. The surgery went well and there were no complications. I had my follow up appointment a week later and got the okay to drive again. Many thanks to Kay for taking me to Guelph and back again. 

So I had a quiet week at home. Lucky for me some days were above average temperatures and I was able to get outside and get some walking in. I need to do as much of that as I can over the next couple of weeks.

Did I mention I'm going to Paris for 10 days? Patti and Meghan are going to join me there. I was so taken with the city when I was there for 48 hours in December that I decided I'd love to go for a longer visit. It will be much nicer weather and I'm looking forward to leisurely strolls exploring this amazing city

I'm leaving on April 26th and arriving the morning of the 27th. We don't leave until the 7th of May. I'm really looking forward to it.

Friday, April 15th - Happy Easter everone (part 1)

Well the last couple of weeks have certainly been a bit of a whirlwind.

I had the pleasure of spending a weekend on PEI. I flew out to help with the Irish Stew dinner. It was so very nice to catch up with so many people I hadn't seen since leaving over 2 years ago. Many asked if I was back or planning to move back but I assured them it was a temporary visit. 

I needn't have worried about getting a seat on the plane. I took this picture right before we took off! All these rows and I was still at the back of the bus!

Brenda picked me up at the airport on Friday morning (April 1st) and we went straight out to do some shopping for the event. When that was done we met Helena in town at the Merchantman for some lunch. It was a cool and drizzly day but that didn't dampen our spirits. It was really nice to sit down over a beer and some good food to catch up.

On our way out to Fort Augustus we stopped at No Frills and picked up the remaing items on the shopping list. (Just a few things!) Then the liquor store and Sobey's where I was able to say hi to a couple of old co-workers.  On our way home we stopped at the Rec Centre and dropped everything off in preperation for Saturday's work day.

We still had some time before we had to go out so I popped over to see my friend Margie. A lot has happened in her life since I last saw her and it was good to catch up, after a good cry of course. Then it was a shared dinner with her and a chance to learn what the future holds for her. I suggested she come out on Sunday and she agreed it would be a good idea. 

I was fortunate that Friday was also the start up of Capture the Queen at the Rec Centre. No one knew that I was coming so there were just a few surprised faces when I walked in. It was lovely to see everyone.

Me and Anna

Many hands make light work and we had many hands. So many in fact that some where there waiting for us when we arrived on Saturday morning, with peelers and paring knives in hand.

It took a few minutes to get everybody organized but once that was done, we flew through the prep. 

Just like old times!

By lunch most was done so we headed back to the VanGaals for lunch and left the beef, ready to simmer after we returned.

Everyone else was gone when we returned so we got stuff on the stove, made some tea, and then just sat back and relaxed. It was just like old times. Brenda has been there for me so many times, and I was really happy to be able to return the favour.

Bernie had some guests in the shop so Brenda and I called up Helena to join us for supper. We had her delicious fish and reluctantly shared what was left with the guys in the shop. It was nice to see Paul and Richard, who were quite surprised to see me walk through the door!

It had been a long day and Brenda had gone up for a brief nap while I visited with Meghan out in the big building where her tiny home is still being constructed. Winter hasn't cooperated in terms of being able to do much but now that Spring is here it should be getting closer to completion.

I look forward to seeing it when it's all complete and out in the woods. 

Sunday morning was another early one, although not quite as early as the day before had been.

I had brought them a new teapot from Amsterdam to replace their old one they had gotten years ago when they visited the Netherlands. Breakfast was tea, blueberry pancakes with local blueberries and maple syrup produced right there on their property from their very own trees. Doesn't get much more local than that.

By mid morning it was time to head over to the Rec Centre and get started. There were people busy setting up tables, musicians were busy getting set up and tuned up and the kitchen was in full swing.

By most accounts the day was a success. There was lots of positive feedback and I'm assuming some money was made, as it was a fundraiser after all. 

When everything was cleaned up, it was back to the VanGaals where we had an early night. My flight was leaving at 5:00 which meant I had to be there by 3:00 (am) so leaving the house by 2:30. Lucky for me Bernie doesn't sleep well and actually I didn't either. You know what it's like when you have to get before the crack of dawn and you're afraid you might sleep in. But that wasn't the case and Bernie had me there in really good time. I didn't get on the flight to Toronto but I did make it on to the Montreal flight, that left an hour later. Good thing I did. Brenda sent me a picture from her window mid morning, where there was a full on blizzard happening. Got out just in time.

Monday, March 21st - Welcome spring !

 Spring is in the air - or at least it certainly was last week. Thursday reached a high of 19' - not too shabby.

We know we aren't quite done with the cold weather yet but it was certainly a nice change. In fact when I was walking home from the thrift store 3 convertibles passed me and 2 of them had the tops down. I was so tempted to get mine uncovered and the battery connected, but it's just too early! Once it's out I will want to drive it every day so I will have to be patient.

Speaking of patient, we have all patiently waited for our mask mandate to be lifted and today is the day - almost exactly two years since I arrived in Ontario on March 20th, when everything got locked down.  Hard to imagine how far I've come in that time. I have a really busy few months coming up and I have many people to thank for that and you all know who you are.

I was lucky to have spent 48 hours in Amsterdam recently with Patti and Meghan. The weather cooperated and we enjoyed walking many streets during our brief stay. Some areas were an eye opener, for sure. 

We were amazed at the number of bicycles that are used and how efficient the roads are set up to accommodate them (although as a pedestrian you had to be super vigilant not to step out in front of one of them.

We packed a lot into a short time - a river cruise, a visit to the Van Gogh Museum, shopping and eating. A good time was had by all. 

Stay tuned for the next adventure ...

Saturday, February 26, 2022 - Finally things to write home about!

 It's been quite a while but there's really not been much of interest to talk about. We are still battling Covid but we are cautiously optimistic that things are improving.

Restrictions are slowly being lifted and hopefully there is light at the end of the tunnel (that's not attached to another Covid train). Having said that, I'm so sorry to hear everyday about the increasing numbers of people on PEI who are infected. They did so well for so long and now they seem to be experiencing what the rest of the country had been dealing with for almost 2 years. But at least with high numbers of vacinated folks, deaths are not the same issue we dealt with in the beginning.

With things easing up a little, travel is now an option once again, although somewhat more of a challenge than in the past, but still doable. I was thrilled to be able to go with Patti to Paris in mid December. It had been on my bucket list for a very long time. I had no idea what to expect, but it far exceeded anything I could have imagined. Of course it helped ttemendously to be with Patti, as she is fluent in French. But it really was an amazing experience. So much so, that after Christmas I was looking around online and, long story short, I'm going back in the spring. 

We've rented an apartment that sleeps 3 so Patti and Meghan are coming as well. Meg is studying art at Western so is very eager to visit places like the Louvre. We leave on the 26th of April, arriving on the 27th and we are there until May 7th. (I had to time it perfectly as I have a ticket to see Jesse Cook on May 12th around the corner at Centre in the Square, literally a 5 minute walk from my house.)

Then last week I was lucky enough to get through and buy 3 tickets to see Sir Paul in Syracuse, NY on June 4th. Tristen has become quite a fan of Beatles music and has mentioned several times that I took his brother to a concert but not him. Turns out he's apparently never been to a concert! I did not know that and I'm so thrilled that I'll be taking him to his first ever. I've also never taken Patti, so now it's her turn! It's on a Saturday, so we'll drive over on Saturday morning, get a hotel and then come back on Sunday. I was very surprised when I got the notification that he was touring this summer - the guy's going to be 80 years old two weeks later! 

Then come July I'm off to PEI. My very generous and kind family gave me a wonderful gift at Christmas. It's a combo Christmas/Birthday present. I'll be turning 70 this summer so they have rented me a cute little one bedroom cottage at Lakeside Beach for 2 weeks! Then at the end of the 2 weeks they are flying down to the island and we all move to a bigger place for the weekend to celebrate my birthday. I can't express how

much I truly appreciate all they've done for me since coming back to Ontario. I am truly blessed to have such a wonderful family that I love very much. 

Well, that's almost it for now. I'm house/dog sitting at their house from Monday to Friday as they are going to Florida to spend a few days with Lynn and Paul, Greg's parents. They get back on Friday morning, then on Friday night, Meghan and I are tagging along with Patti. She has a 48 hour layover in Amsterdam. Seems only right that we should go as well. Meg is keen to visit the VanGogh Museum and just see the sights. Since she has previously traveled to Spain and Italy, she is now keen to travel even more. 

Stay tuned...

September 18th - fall will soon be here. Where has the summer gone?

September has been somewhat of a whirlwind. At least it seems that way after months of nothing going on.

Labour Day weekend I was happy to visit Greg's parents in Port Elgin. James was home from Borden for holidays so it was nice to spend the weekend with most of the family (Meghan was in London, getting ready to start university, and working at the course she was at all summer).

The Guelph pipe band, of which Tristen is a fledgling new member, did some practice performances at John McCrae House in Guelph. Time for me to catch up on all the things I missed over the past few years. They were getting ready to perform at the first live Highland Games in two years. It was taking place in Cobourg on September 11th. 

Because Patti was going to be away (flying to Europe again ) I agreed to take Tristen to the highland games. We had a really nice day and on the way came up with some other adventures we'd like to try next summer.

I'd heard on the radio that a new place opened in Waterloo called Lobster Burger Bar. Nancy and I had to try it out. So with our friend Marla, we made the trek. It was good but Nancy and I have pretty high standards for lobster. Enough said!

I took the kitten, who is aptly named Pepe Le Pew to the vets for his first shot but was told he was too young. We had estimated that he was approximately 7 weeks old, but the vet estimated he was younger than that, judging by the lack of back molars that had not yet come in. So he was REALLY young when we made that trip from the island. But he's doing really well now, and growing like a little weed.

This picture of a skunk explains Pepe's name!

September 1st - where has the time gone?

 I didn't realize I hadn't shared my last post when it was written. Better late than never, right.

The rest of my visit to the island was wonderful and I have many great memories that I've brought back with me. 

Patti arrived on the island on Monday, having worked a flight from Toronto. She arrived at midnight and I picked her up early in the morning. We had a really nice day touring around the island, as tourists, no longer residents. We enjoyed lunch on the veranda at Dalvay by the Sea and a walk on the beach. 

We ended our day by cooking dinner at Brenda's and because she was out from town, Meghan was able to drive her back into town to her hotel, before her departure the next morning.

Brenda and I took an overnight trip to the west end of the island. We visited several spots along the way that I'd never been to and stayed over at an Inn attached to a lighthouse. The weather was less than ideal but it didn't matter as we spent most of our time in the car.

I spent a night on the eastern end of the island, staying overnight with my friend Donna. She has a trailer that is parked at Red Point for the summer. 

On the way to Red Point I stopped in at the Inn at Bay Fortune and saw Chef Michael briefly, for him to sign a cookbook for a friend back in Ontario'

One of the highlights of my trip was a dinner at Pat and Sharyn's. They had three little kittens that had been born in the barn. Mom had moved three of the six but never came back for the last three. Not sure if she abandoned them or was killed by something before she returned. Regardless there were three very tiny kittens and one that no one wanted.

 Need I say more? My return trip was slowed slightly by having to stop every few hours to bottle feed this tiny wee baby. 

On my way home, I stopped in Iroquois, Ontario and stayed two nights with former brother in law Mike and his wife. It was really nice to catch up with him after many, many years.

Finally back home and into our usual routine. Work three days, off for four. 

Sunday, August 1st - it's a beautiful day on the island.

 The sun was shining when we got up at 7:00 so we dressed quickly and headed into town. We started with coffee at Receiver coffee, along with toast and croissants. The a quick stop at Meg's to drop off the park pass for her to share with her friends who were visiting later today.

On the way back, we checked out a new section of the trail. It's was such a nice morning, it would be a shame not to take advantage of it.

Then it was back out to the country to go kayaking. I'd left my kayak here so we were good to go. A leisurely paddle down the Johnston's River was a great way to spend part of the day,

When we returned from kayaking it was lunch time so we sat outside on the little front porch and enjoyed the day even further. What to do next? I'd called a local farm to see if I could obtain some lamb shanks but they were closed on Sunday. Still they had what I wanted and they would keep them for me till Monday. So the decision was made to take a drive down to Selkirk to visit friends Richard and Daralen who are camped out there for the month of August.

In the evening Brenda and I ventured into town to see our friend Margie perform. It was an improv type of event. My plan was to surprise her by just showing up but that was spoiled as she crossed the street just as we were parking. She saw Brenda first then saw me. It was still quite a surprise as I'm sure I was the last person she expected to encounter there.