flying bbq

I was just barely awake when the first woof popped my eyes open. Spike. Then Bella joined in. What on earth were they barking at? Carm was with them in the living room getting ready to let them outside when the ruckus started so I figured he had it in hand, then, from the living room I heard Carm shout out “the wind knocked the bbq over, and blew a barrel out from the barn.” Gosh, I knew it had been windy, not to mention that there had been driving rain, but to blow something that big and heavy over!

A look out the window confirmed the amount of rain we’d received: the creek and river were in full flood. The rain had lessened, but the wind still wailed.

We huddled inside for much of the day, except for a few walks with the dogs for me, and pool management for Carm. And of course there was that bbq to un-topple. I was happy with our well-made house and a warm pinkish sweater to keep me warm.  I was pretty lazy for much of the day, but did get onto the treadmill for 27 minutes today (5 more than yesterday and for 1 ½ miles).

“A wind has blown the rain away and blown the sky away and all the leaves away, and the trees stand. I think, I too, have known autumn too long.”
~e. e. cummings

I believe in pink

It’s raining, and with 50-100mm in the forecast for the next 24 hours it will be raining a lot. That’s okay though. I have a roof over my head and the furnace works. The dogs may have something else to say though - they don’t like the rain so trips out are cut short with no long walks into the field. All three are cuddled on the futon, asleep for the most part, but looking out the window the rest of the time.

Last night we had a great time at the Acapulco’s Halloween party. I dyed my hair pink and wore some black see-through clothes and went as a hooker, Carm went as himself as he refuses to dress up. Honestly though, our dress-up clothes went to the thrift store last spring when I did a big cleanup of the closet, so there wasn’t much for him to chose from.

My pink hair came out okay. I used a semi-permanent dye which in the past has only lasted a week in my hair but with my luck I’ll probably be a pinkie for a month.

Today I did 22 minutes on the treadmill (1.25 miles), made a double batch of hummus, did a quick re-arrange of the freezer, and still had energy leftover. I thought of getting on the treadmill again but decided not to overdo it. Especially with my change in drugs I have to guard against hypo-mania and giving into these rushes of energy can be troublesome.

“I believe in pink. I believe that laughing is the best calorie burner. I believe in kissing, kissing a lot. I believe in being strong when everything seems to be going wrong. I believe that happy girls are the prettiest girls. I believe that tomorrow is another day and I believe in miracles. “
~Audrey Hepburn

I saw a bee

I saw a bee today. And Carm is out golfing. Is it really the end of October, or perhaps time stopped a few weeks ago and we are fresh out of September. The trees with naked branches reaching for the sky tell me no.

We’ve been doing the long field walk the last few days. I finally have enough energy/strength to get all the way around. For several months my limbs have been like rubber and I haven’t had the energy to do much more than exist. Something was wrong but I didn’t know what. A few visits to both my doctors showed that my thyroid levels were low and my lithium high. Since the two are known to operate hand in hand we tried the easy change first, so I lowered my lithium dose last Thursday. It wasn’t an immediate change, but over the last week I’ve gotten stronger every day. I’m glad to be feeling so much better, but a little bit peeved with myself for not pursuing it earlier - I more or less spent my summer on the sofa and often didn’t even have the energy to get to the swing.

Of course the question of why my lithium was so high is a big unknown. Hopefully it won’t shift again and leave me manic or depressed and without a doctor to fix me…

Back to the field! The dogs are doing so much better as well - were they mirroring my energy or is the cooler weather energizing them? Maybe they are in better shape since our trip to the bird sanctuary (where I did do some walking but at a snail's pace - I’ve always been a speed walker but couldn’t keep up with Carm). Regardless, they are running around and having fun in the field again. I bring lots of treats to reward good recalls and Spike has restarted his thing where he waits while I walk ahead and when I turn around and give him the signal to come he runs as fast as he can to me. I sometimes get pretty far from him too. It always makes me laugh and of course he gets a tiny treat.

Yesterday Carm helped me get both instant pots fired up with pumpkin soup. I made enough for 7 suppers for two of us, so there are 6 in the freezer - that’s six nights that I don’t have to cook :-)  We had roasted brussels sprouts on the side last night but a kale salad would work too.

“It's difficult. I take a low dose of lithium nightly. I take an antidepressant for my darkness because prayer isn't enough. My therapist hears confession twice a month, my shrink delivers the host, and I can stand in the woods and see the world spark.”
~David Lovelace

Green Papaya

How the heck did he remember my name… it had been almost 7 years since I last placed an order.

Let me backtrack a few years. When I still worked there was a restaurant across the street called the Green Papaya. They made the best Thai food and since they were always packed they started offering take out. Every monday morning I’d pry myself out of bed (at 5am some prying is required) with the promise of Pad Ki Mao for lunch. The spicy hot noodle dish was a favorite. I’d place my order over the phone so it would be ready when I got there and then in ecstasy eat it at my desk. When we were leaving to go camping after work I’d pick up a double order to have as our first night’s supper. Carm loved it too.

The downtown location was tricky to get to once we retired, and it closed a few years ago due to construction of the transit way. One day we were driving near the place Carm’s mother lives and there was a new location! We finally got a chance to try it yesterday and weren’t disappointed. While this might seem like a good thing, I suspect that we will be lunching there often, which isn’t good for the diet.

I haven’t talked about the weather for a while. Aside from the last two days it has been fantastic. With sunny skies and temps in the high teens, low 20s it has been an extension of summer. Even today there are mixed skies and it is warm enough to go out with just a light sweater.

Carm is golfing today.

orange devils

I couldn’t keep up with the orange invasion. My goal today was to wash and wax the wood floor in the villetta. Simple right? I stepped into the camper and was horrified to see a hundred or more of those little beetle buggers littering the floor. Discouraged, I turned around and left. I needed another cup of coffee to fortify myself against the dismay.

Broom in hand I entered the camper again. An overflowing (gosh, what is the name of the thing you sweep stuff into so you can throw it out?) got thrown into the bushes outside. I was ready to start. But oh, the fridge was a mess so I tackled that first. I carefully removed the shelves and drawers - these things probably cost a fortune to replace - and brought them into the house. I’ll leave Carm to wash them as I’m a bit of a clutz. Soapy water and disinfecting wipes took care of the inside of both fridges.

Back to the floor… with a fresh bucket of water beside me I got down on my hands and knees and got to work. As I got closer to the door the sand from the last campground fouled my cloth. Rinse, wash a little section, repeat. Done.

Back in the house I dug out the ‘Rejuvenate’ floor restorer wax, a cloth and rubber gloves.

I opened the door of the villetta. There, in the middle of the floor by the door was one of those stupid bugs. I threw it out the door and stepped further inside. There was another one lying on its back on the floor near the sofa.

I slammed the door and stalked to the house. There was no way I could put on this varnish stuff that takes 45 minutes to dry with bugs falling into it. They’d stick and would be there forever.

That was today and now I’ll backtrack to Friday. It was a lovely day and we got some stuff done outside (don’t ask me what as my memory is not that good). We finished early and got cleaned up for a trip into the city. We were attending a mass for Carm’s cousin in Italy who passed away about a month ago. That’s 2 cousins in a month, both in their 50s.

I’m not Catholic and don’t really get the whole mass thing, especially when it is said in Italian, but it was a good time for meditation and having a quiet spiritual moment.

I thought I’d dress up as a grown-up girl so wore some shoes that I’m not sure I’ve ever worn outside of the house. PAIN. Hobble around shooting pain. I did meditate about the shoes a bit and decided that I have to be honest with myself and forego any attempt at style. A new pair of blundstones are in my future - red ones. The torture shoes will most definitely be finding a new home.

Saturday night we went with Pat, Trudie, and Leo to the local Beerfest. There were several reps from local craft beer places as well as food and some local wine. I found a few new favorites.

“Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done without hope and confidence.”
~Helen Keller

the balance of colossal forces

It seems strange to see the orange and black wings of a Monarch in late October, but every stroll along the field is accompanied by the splendor of butterflies. Not as many as early September, but I still see a dozen or more every walk.

We spent yesterday at doctors appointments and shopping for new dress shirts for Carm. He’s lost 35lbs so far and last year’s suit shirt billows on him. We found one, a light blue with little dots, and he also scored a funky new tie and metrosexual socks. Formal night here we come!

Before diet on our last day in Rome:

Same shirt today:

Today we got at it and finished unloading the camper and even got it winterized. I hate to use that term, winter shouldn’t be in the vocabulary just yet. In fact it seems like we are far from the white stuff as it is 20C with bright sun. A lovely day for something so depressing. Carm even cut some grass.

Of course now there are heaps of stuff at the bottom of the basement stairs, and still the odd thing on the table upstairs… I have to remind myself to breathe or anxiety starts to ride up. Mantra: It will all get tidied and before you know it next spring will be here and I’ll be moving everything back to its summer home…

“Marvellous!" he repeated, looking up at me.
"Look! The beauty--but that is nothing--look at the accuracy, the harmony. And so fragile! And so strong! And so exact!
This is Nature--the balance of colossal forces. Every star is so--and every blade of grass stands so--and the mighty Kosmos il perfect equilibrium produces--this.
This wonder; this masterpiece of Nature--the great artist.”
~Joseph Conrad

unloading: day 2

Bin after bin of stuff from the camper is threatening to overwhelm the house. Unused canned goods, pasta that we bought on sale, spices and sauces, dried beans and rice… and that’s just the food. Extra dishes, dog food and treats, dvds, books, clothes, bathroom stuff, cleaners, and anything else that might freeze or we might need over the winter still has to come in.

The 8’ harvest table in the great room is stacked and I wonder where it will all go. I feel anxious and depressed at the mess. Not to mention exhausted. I have to rest between trips.

At least the weather is nice! It is sunny with just a bit of wind. We could actually use the gale force winds of yesterday to keep away those darn Asian beetles. I can hear them bumping against the windows and some sneak into the camper each time I open the door.

Eventually the orange beetles put an end to my chore: too many were whooshing in each time I opened the door.

Now to figure out supper. I had a giant stack of pancakes for brunch so should stick with celery!

“I tend not to trust people who live in very tidy houses. I know that on the surface there is nothing wrong with a person being well-ordered and disciplined. Nothing, except that it leaves the impression of that person having lived in the confines of a stark institution which, although he or she has long since left, remains within.” ~Jack Dee

an icy wind tore at my face

An icy wind tore at my face bringing tears to my eyes. It raked across my hands turning them red and then purple. Bella and Kabira strained at their leashes, but Spike was in no hurry. We had to take the short and then the long loop, almost getting back to the camper before he did his business. My temper was frayed.

Back at the camper, the fireplace, electric heater AND furnace struggled to warm it up. I pulled a blanket over my shoulders and wished I could dunk myself in the hot coffee… thoughts of being home in a hot bath twined their way into my conscious. I checked the weather. Winds 30km gusting to 50km were forecast for the day. Yuck. Cold I could handle, but wind as well? Not so much fun.

I turned to Carm, “should we go home today?”. It was one day early but suddenly being home seemed like a good idea. We pondered for a while, checked the weather again and made our decision: we’d cut our vacation short.

I just couldn’t bear the thought of all the in’s and out’s with the dogs, the wind battering me. The thought of a long walk with tall, creaky trees overhead did not appeal. Another cold walk in the morning just didn’t seem worth it. I suppose I am just worn out. I’ve been exhausted this whole trip but made myself carry on with everything, somehow dredging the strength from somewhere within... the maelstrom did me in.

So here I am, not so cosy at home. You see we turn the furnace off when we are away so the house is cold - nose running cold, Kabira shivering and getting her outfit on cold. The wind still wails.

And that hot bath? Well, eventually there was enough hot water made so that I could have a good soak.

Camping is over for the year and you might imagine that I’m crying about the onset of winter. But no. This year (as last year), we have a cruise in the Caribbean to look forward to, so I don’t feel despair or depression, not with just 43 days till the next adventure.

“And now, my poor old woman, why are you crying so bitterly? It is autumn. The leaves are falling from the trees like burning tears- the wind howls. Why must you mimic them?”
~Mervyn Peake

a bracing tang in the air

My hands are stiff from the cold. The forecast is for the temp to drop below zero tonight so we were outside filling our water tank and stowing the hose. Instead of being directly connected to the park taps, we’ll ‘run off the tank’ for the rest of our trip.

This afternoon we made a quick trip to the local RV parts store and a detour to Canadian Tire, Giant Tiger, and the grocery store. We needed a light bulb from the RV shop which thankfully they had. It took us over 15 minutes to get it changed - a little reminder of why I don’t tend to keep the lights on unless necessary!

I forgot to talk about the weather yesterday: the high was 26C with a humidex of 31C. That doesn’t factor in the wind chill (it was super windy, as in hold tight to the door or it will slam). It was a shirtsleeves day, but not a day to sit outside, at least not for us. We are fair weather outdoor sitters…

As the evening wore on the wind whipped and whirled and battered. The trailer rocked and rattled, wind whistling through every crack. It was a cold front moving in and boy did it move.

From the high of 26C yesterday, we are at 7C today. Brrrr. The wind isn’t as crazy but is still brisk. We held off our walk till late afternoon in the hopes the sun would make an appearance… as we unloaded the dogs from the truck the sun sliced through the clouds. It wasn’t warming but did raise our spirits. The brisk air had the dogs tugging at their leashes, eager to explore.

“It was one of those days you sometimes get latish in the autumn when the sun beams, the birds toot, and there is a bracing tang in the air that sends the blood beetling briskly through the veins.”
~P.G. Wodehouse

how many poodles?

Within sight of our trailer: 10 dogs…  In the park I’ve counted 5 standard poodles and 5 german shepherds (and maybe 1 more of each). Lots of little dogs dotted around, 1 or more goldens, and at least one boxer add to the mix. It’s no wonder that Spike’s mind is being blown. He is Reactive (with a capital R), to other dogs, especially ones that are running around loose or lunging at the end of a chain. We’ve made progress on the ones that are sitting quietly and can pass a small dog on the road with a minor amount of excitement (and lots of treats). But this weekend a walk through the campground part of the park would ratchet up his excitement a notch with each dog passed. I’m glad the weekend is over and most of them are going home…

I should note that we rarely see another standard poodle, let alone 5 others in the same place!

Yesterday was cloudy but warm. We walked the dogs down at the end of the island then drove into Morrisburg to split a club sandwich. The rest of the day was a typical camping day: reading, short walks with one or the other dogs to practice distractions, cooking supper, more reading, a few extra short walks to get my 250 steps in, and on it went. I’d like to say it was a peaceful easy feeling day but it wasn’t. I had a few times of near panic attacks, not helped by all the dogs.

This afternoon we watched a line of campers take their turn through the dump station (that’s where you empty your tanks of all the yuckies), and then skirted the puddles on a walk to the first group camping area. We were happy to get off the mucky roads, although it was too late for mucky pooches. The wind threatened to blow the hair off my head. We were standing under some ancient and battered old trees enjoying the view over the water when out of the corner of my consciousness,  the squeaking of old wood against old wood altered us to the folly of our location so we beetled out of there. Of course our camper is nestled among some other huge trees and the wind is whipping off the lake…

By the time we got back to the villetta there were hardly any campers left and only a few scattered dogs. My anxiety levels eased and I felt myself returning to peaceful easy feeling.

A cup of tea (and wouldn’t a ginger nut go well) turned out to be a fine way to finish off the afternoon.

“There is something in the nature of tea that leads us into a world of quiet contemplation of life.”
~Lin Yutang

pleasure in the walk

I could eat an unctuous burger right now but I’m not. I’m going to be virtuous and have a Smoky Black-eyed Pea burger instead. No greasy patty (but oh my that would be good) - we will have a glob of caramelized onions for that dripping out of the bun experience. Except we won’t have a bun, we’ll have it in a pita.

The weather has been a mixed bag. Yesterday was glorious and we went for a long walk into camp D. Late afternoon Carm made the decision to drive into Ottawa for a wake instead of waiting for today (which would have burnt the whole day). It was lots of driving for him again (why are all these things at the other end of the city?), but he was safely back not long past 9pm, just in time for a warming Pasta Fagioli soup.

Today we walked from the villetta all the way down to camp A. From there we skirted the St. Lawrence (climbing over some big rocks on the way), and on into camp B where the new campsites are. We walked back to camp down the road. The sun shone and my fleece jacket ended up tied around my waist like a weirdly shaped skirt.

Once we got back to camp we dragged our chairs over to Paul and Sandra’s campfire for a lovely afternoon visit. The clouds raced in with some whipping winds and suddenly it was yuck. Time for a hot shower :-)

“Her pleasure in the walk must arise from the exercise and the day, from the view of the last smiles of the year upon the tawny leaves and withered hedges, and from repeating to herself some few of the thousand poetical descriptions extant of autumn--that season of peculiar and inexhaustible influence on the mind of taste and tenderness--that season which has drawn from every poet worthy of being read some attempt at description, or some lines of feeling.”
~Jane Austen

afternoons spent cosy

Yesterday I opened my eyes to a grey day. The clouds hung close to the ground obscuring the view over the river. Regardless, and having no choice anyway, I took the dogs out for a little walk. I was surprised to find it was warm and that I could keep my jacket unzipped.

We barely had time for a cup of coffee before the dogs were locked in the bedroom with some 70s music to drown out any outdoor sounds. Carm and I piled into the truck for the drive to the blood-letting place - not even vacation saved us from this unpleasant activity. Still, it was over quickly and after a quick stop for groceries we were on our way back to camp.

As if they were waiting for us to return, the clouds dissipated and the glorious sun made an appearance. It was divine and one of those special days made to treasure, more precious as it might be the last shirt-sleeve day before winter’s icy grip.

Carm got the laundry going and we dashed off to take the dogs for a walk. We got as far as the first group camping area before Carm left us to meander back while he raced back to the laundry.

Once back, we sat outside, basking in the warmth. The dogs were attached to their anchors and flaked out in the sunshine. The anchors are working out really well - I think I was some kind of genius to come up with such an innovative idea ;-) Carm was the hero and finished the laundry, making the trip back and forth to the machines several times. He must have gotten in lots of steps!

It was beautiful and worth every drop of rain that fell on us Monday.

Unfortunately a hoard of Asian (stinky vampire) beetles was released by the heat. They started bumping into our heads and soon the side of the camper was covered and dozens made their way inside. Carm got the central vac going and with the long hose sucked up every last one.

Today is less beautiful. The temp is hovering around 10C - the fireplace is flickering and the furnace occasionally comes on. We drove to the new part of the campground and went for a long walk with the dogs. There is one new site in particular that we might try for next June. Once back to camp we cuddled up to big mugs of hot tea.

Later I’m going to make us a curried butternut squash soup that will rosy up our day and warm our tummies.

These long, lazy days of camping are a balm to my mood. Peaceful Easy Feeling is my anthem. There is something calming about long walks in Nature and afternoons spent cosy in the camper with music playing. I feel enormously lucky to have these moments and hope that I can recall them later.

“I am grateful for what I am and have. My thanksgiving is perpetual. It is surprising how contented one can be with nothing definite - only a sense of existence. Well, anything for variety. I am ready to try this for the next ten thousand years, and exhaust it. How sweet to think of! my extremities well charred, and my intellectual part too, so that there is no danger of worm or rot for a long while. My breath is sweet to me. O how I laugh when I think of my vague indefinite riches. No run on my bank can drain it, for my wealth is not possession but enjoyment.”
― Henry David Thoreau

Happy Thanksgiving Nate

Cosy. We are freshly showered and in dry clothes, the fireplace is flickering, and the oven is sending out tantalizing whiffs of roast beef. The brussels sprouts have added to the atmosphere, the yorkshire pudding batter is coming back to room temperature and the mashed potatoes are ready to be microwaved. A bottle of bubbles is cooling in the fridge.

I woke up this morning to the sound of pouring rain on the roof - ugh - rolled over and went back to sleep until almost 10am. I had to drag the dogs out of the door as the remnants of hurricane Nate was still coming down at a furious rate…

Normally a rainy day is just an excuse to stay inside and read, but today was moving day so we had no choice but to get soaked. Carm was out in a tshirt but I was smart and wore a raincoat. Did I say raincoat? Right. More like a rain sponge. Needless to say we were both soaked to the skin by the time we got underway.

Lucky for us the rain let up when we got to our new digs so we were able to set up without getting more soaked (was that even possible?). And that brings us to now - cosy and warm with a delicious supper in the oven. Lots to be thankful for.

a little while later - our tummies are full, the leftovers are packed into the fridge and the dishes are done. Time to settle into a movie or other mindless TV (please no more CNN)...

Happy Thanksgiving to all.

sweet flower of love

My weary head is resting against the cushion propped up at the end of the sofa. I’m tired but happy.

Carm left me to play golf on Friday so I had a quiet day of house-keeping and rest in prep for my Mom’s visit. She arrived late Friday afternoon with plenty of time to visit while we waited for Carm to get home so we could go to the Acapulco for supper. We wanted to treat Mom to the great food and hospitality of our ‘local’. I think she enjoyed the whole experience.

Saturday morning Carm left to play cards, leaving Mom and I for a 24 hour extravaganza of visiting. We had a great time with lots of walks, healthy meals (I subjected Mom to a vegan supper with under-cooked brussels sprouts), laughter, and serious conversations. It was lovely.

Sunday morning we lost power, so skipped out to McDonald's for coffee and breakfast (thanks Mom). Then we headed over to the giant flea market to poke around for a bit. Carm met up with us there.

We left Mom at the flea market and came back to camp just in time for the power to be restored. That second cup of coffee was just what the doctor ordered, though it didn’t do the job of really waking me up.

The roads are wet from the overnight rain so I’ve been keeping to the grass and the pine needle covered roads. Everything else is a mucky mess. There are lots of dogs here so every walk is a training opportunity for Spike. He is, and will probably always be, a work in progress. He gets so worked up with other dogs - it drives me crazy.

“Mama was my greatest teacher, a teacher of compassion, love and fearlessness. If love is sweet as a flower, then my mother is that sweet flower of love. “
~Stevie Wonder

lucky to be here

The RV repair guy was at our door before 9am this morning, with a truck full of tools and parts. Methodically he cleaned and tested the furnace parts until it was fairly clear the board was the problem. He had a new one swapped out in a jiffy - the furnace worked! We can stay!

The rest of the day was sombre… we cleaned ourselves up and then took off on a road trip to Carm’s cousin’s wake. Tommy passed away during a botched up surgery at just 58 years old, leaving behind a wife, kids and three close brothers. Everyone was in shock.

It was a long day.

That was yesterday. Today it’s grey and slightly cool, a good day for cuddling inside with the fireplace flickering. Carm, however, is out on the fairway bashing a small ball around. He’s with a friend he hasn’t seen for ages so that’s the fun part.

I’ve been cleaning, napping, and resisting pancakes while he’s been gone. I’ve taken the dogs out a few times but find myself too exhausted to go very far.

This afternoon I’ve been watching trailers roll in. Thanksgiving is a big weekend here so it will likely fill up. I just hope there aren’t too many dogs as Spike has gone bezerk this year. I don’t know what to do with him: punitive actions don’t work and actually even worsen the problem. In the past I’d be able to get his attention and reward for that, but this year his excitement level is through the roof… I had hoped that with age this problem would go away…

The people that just came in next to us put their trailer in the site backwards, which means their door is facing our door - they’ll be right in our face whenever we are outside. But the good news is, maybe they’ll be nice and we’ll share a campfire (their picnic table is now 20 or 30 feet from our fire pit).

Stop complaining!!!! I’m darn lucky to be here enjoying this beautiful park!

Priscilla Queen of the Road

It took me a minute to realize the sound of talking was coming right outside the camper. A peek through the window revealed a lady talking to Grace. I thought she was from the motorhome across the way from us. I put down my tablet and went outside to say hello.

Priscilla (as I was to find out a few minutes later) was obviously an animal lover and had lots of questions about Grace, and then the dogs. Her own little dog, a Tibetan spaniel, is 16 and starting to slow down. We smiled and laughed with each other for a while, the conversation warm and cheerful.

As the conversation moved forward I noticed a lack of ‘we’ in her conversation and was finally rude enough to ask. Yes, she was travelling on her own. I took a good hard look at her and tried to figure out how old she is. I wasn’t sure but figured late 70s, early 80s. I was impressed. It is so rare that we meet a woman travelling on their own, but one who walks with a cane - I’m inspired.

She eventually took her leave and we could see her on a stool washing the huge front window on her RV. Gosh.

The weather has taken a turn: clouds obscure the sun and have been spitting a bit of rain at us, not full-fledged rain… yet.

“I don't believe in aging. I believe in forever altering one's aspect to the sun. ”
~Virginia Woolf

idle days continue

squint… the sun is shining off the screen and nearly blinding me. But I’m not complaining - it’s another t-shirt day. This one even more precious after seeing photos from Medicine Hat yesterday. They had snow. As long as this nice weather continues I can continue to believe that winter will never come and that we are trapped in perpetual summer.

Carm has made a new friend and is off golfing this afternoon: Can Johnny come out to play? I planned on using the time to clean windows, wash floors, scrub bathroom and generally get this place spic n span. Instead I had a nap and made pancakes. I did take the dogs out for a short walk; after yesterday’s marathon day they were dragging behind me. Come to think of it, I wasn’t exactly zooming myself…

We had the news on for much of the day yesterday, stunned by the reports of the shooting in Las Vegas. My cousin was there but she and her friends had moved away from the stage to get some cheesecake - wow, what luck to have a sweet tooth.

“All in all, it was a never-to-be-forgotten summer — one of those summers which come seldom into any life, but leave a rich heritage of beautiful memories in their going — one of those summers which, in a fortunate combination of delightful weather, delightful friends and delightful doing, come as near to perfection as anything can come in this world.”
~L.M. Montgomery

salty dog

It is shirt-sleeve weather here again and the riff from ‘Peaceful easy feeling’ runs through my mind on an everlasting loop. Not an unwanted earworm but a joyous chorus.

Sunday we drove back home and then into the city to celebrate an early Thanksgiving with my family. Olaf and Tammy came from Montreal (with darling Freya of course), and Graham was there with Juliette and Erik. There was much to give thanks for, not the least of which was the delicious turkey dinner. Yowsers that turkey was good - I almost stuffed it under my shirt when we left with the hope that no one would notice. Mom brined it overnight and my salt starved cells rejoiced. The gravy was mouth puckering salty which tasted like ambrosia. We’ve basically cut salt out of our diet so anything with even a grain of salt tastes salty - I think my body needed it as I slathered everything with the brown sauce. Yum.

We left Mom’s while the sun hung above the horizon with the hopes of getting back to camp before dark. We just barely made it, and as it happens we passed two herds of deer on our way…

Once back at the villetta we fed the beasts then settled on the sofa to watch a few programs about food from Italy (note to self, watching food programs while dieting is not a good idea). One of the programs was about Amalfi which is one of the places we visited on our trip this summer.

The big question now centres around dinner: do we have pre-made chili that’s in the freezer, or an Italian styled pasta dish. Right now I’m starving so I vote for both.

We’ve dragged the dogs on the long walk twice now. Tongues were lolling and feet were dragging by the time we got back but they did it. It is reasonably warm today which didn’t help their stamina (or mine for that matter).

A bit of excitement here… the furnace isn’t working :-0  not ideal when nighttime temps drop below 10C. Carm went to a nearby RV repair place and got the name of a guy that has the know how and the parts to fix it. Plus he’ll come here. Appointment is for Thursday morning so our fingers are crossed for some warm nights.

I went out to get my 250 steps and passed right through a gobble of turkeys. The closest one was less than 50’ away. Of course I hadn’t brought my camera…

Carm is bereft - his two golfing compatriots are out of the country for a few weeks, possibly till the end of the season. So much for his three day a week habit.

“Why must people kneel down to pray? If I really wanted to pray I’ll tell you what I'd do. I'd go out into a great big field all alone or in the deep, deep woods and I'd look up into the sky—up—up—up—into that lovely blue sky that looks as if there was no end to its blueness. And then I'd just feel a prayer.”
~L.M. Montgomery