Another perfect Fall photo from by the River.
So did you actually have a flat tire??!
Certainly extremely unexpected, but as you say "Tis not the end of the world"!
What I should have asked, was this your car or the tricycle?
October 28, 2024 v3
I appreciate your joy of different musical sounds; take the greatest pleasure you possibly can nowadays as with your "advancing age" life may change.
Wearing Hearing Aids is a total adjustment, piano music really is not quite the same, just as well that I no longer have my 100 year old "Broadwood" Grand Rosewood Piano which I reluctantly left in London; I played reasonably well if I managed to find time to practice!
30 years ago when Tony had his excellent piano moved from Ottawa to Clayton, I just let him play by ear and compose his own rather classical music. When he was not around I did try to practice very unsuccessfully! I gave up, my hands would not work anymore. The same piano is still in our old house, it was the final offer that sold the whole property. Both parents play and their 8 year old daughter played Happy Birthday to me last winter, now she is learning from some of my old music books.
October 28, 2024 v2
Thank you for sharing your great afternoon with me. All those streets were so familiar, having walked along many of them in 1961 & 2, then 1963 & 4 after returning from England; before buying a house near Hogs Back.
So glad to hear of Graeme McKillop and family, where have all those years so quickly disappeared? One more Doctor to be in the family, good news.
I briefly saw "Julia & Matt" on CBC TV during the Olympics, or lately a re: run of the same performance. Of course, having no idea she is your niece!
Your other niece Jennifer's account of the sheep was amusing to all. Best of luck to her forthwith endeavours into a medical performance.
It was a great afternoon for you to remember for a lifetime.
Keep cheerful.
Suzanne
October 27, 2024 v3
So true! Especially a few more Butter Tarts, if excellent ones can be found!
I shall always miss my beautiful country home and garden, the last of which I completely engineered, and built, myself.
You completely "Hit the Nail on the Head".
A quiet Sunday afternoon seems to be the right time to finally address many unanswered letters after a very busy week.
Take Care.
Suzanne
October 27, 2024 v2
I am glad to know the Queensway Carleton Hospital will be the opportune place for your surgery. Once completed, the Cancer Clinic is behind the Hospital, very easily approached coming off Hiway 417. Almost twelve years ago I went back and forth 25 times for Radiation after Breast surgery; the staff are the kindest, thoughtful people which made a great difference whilst going through a scary situation.
When will the surgery take place ??
My kindest thoughts and prayers for you, Dear, younger, but Old friend.
Sincerely, Suzanne
Supplemental:
I am sorry you did not understand: I returned to Almonte @ 11.30 pm Friday Oct. 18, after a 10 hour Journey: leaving Chemainus @ 6:30 am, Graham driving me to Victoria to join my flight @ 9:30 am to Calgary, changing planes to Ottawa arriving 8pm EST. Our dear Clayton friends Ray and Kathy Lowe met me at the airport, from there to a Kanata restaurant where I thankfully treated them to a good meal. Then an hour's drive to Almonte arriving home @ 11.30 pm, only to find the water had not been turned on in my apartment! Thank Goodness for having two bathrooms! Next morning I phoned John Dawson for help, he came at once and fixed everything, including Hydro; he had thought my return date was Sunday 20th!
Now I must finish my note to you that I started last night and realised it was almost Midnight!
Suzanne
October 27, 2024
Beautifully expressed after an undetermined time of thought.
I am grateful to be "Home", but....I know where I would prefer to exist during my last few years. There is a probability it may happen.
Suzanne
October 23, 224 v3
A very pleasant sojern into the countryside. By the way did you by chance travel home through Wolfgrove Rd around noon? I was coming home from Clayton travelling at about 80 Kms in my white Kia car, when suddenly I was quickly overtaken by a new Black Cadillac shortly before the steep hill where I would turn onto the Eighth line at Auld Kirk; could that be a coincidence?
Also did Fiona have a travel agency in Almonte, think I'm mixed up with one of the "Gale girls"?
I think we only saw one James Bond film on TV, but I knew of James Prendergast, probably around 1971, re: Mary, Queen of Scots however I do not remember a film about her. The watercolour painting over my settee is of the castle where M,Q.S was born and became Queen upon the death of her Father, James, at her age of 3. I'm sure I mentioned all that story a while back.
Finally bedtime!!
Suzanne
October 23, 2024 v2
I agree with you. From what I heard on the CBC news yesterday and today; there is nobody left from his last 4 years in the White House.
No one to keep him in line, they have all deserted him.
Today Kamala Harris came out with a few remarks against his habits. Unfortunately my telephone rang just at the worst time (some number from USA which I promptly put down) so I missed the basic subject. I am sure it will be noted a few times later!!
K. Harris appears to be a smart person and capable to deal with all the two different war problems; North Korea sending troops to help Russia fight in Ukraine, etc.
To help clear my mind away from all this "Mess"; I cleaned up my Balcony, bringing indoors the two large pots of yellow flowers, moving the two heavy chairs around so I could sweep it all clean. I then took a huge bag of unused soil to spread around my lovely red Rose bush, once I had moved small rocks and dead wood from the poor soil in which a couple of people had planted the bush in the Spring. I believe it was one Sunday morning that happened when of course I was at our Clayton church. I crossed my fingers in the hope it would survive the Summer! Once I fertilized and frequently watered it was OK. Once a gardener, always a gardener, my Father taught me well from an early age!
Now I'm just relaxing and checking all the mails that have piled up!
A lovely sun set tonight, hopefully another pleasant but cool day tomorrow,
Good night, sleep well. S
October 23, 2024
So glad to know that old (young) friends are in touch at your most difficult time.
Your mention of George McIlraith brought back memories of a freezing cold winter January 1962. I was living in a ground floor apartment in an old house that necessitated me to catch a bus to Sparks and Metcalf streets. One -30 morning whilst waiting hopelessly for said bus a car drove up and asked in a pleasant deep voice if he could drive me somewhere. It was G. McIllraith. On that first morning he told me he was driving to the Parliament buildings, so of course I accepted his offer. For the next several weeks he came to my house to collect me!
That first morning he asked me how long I had been in Canada, "Why did a young English lady with a speaking voice just like the Queen come to Ottawa of all places!! It was an interesting few weeks. I did not tell my boss (a Welsh Patent Agent) at Marks & Clerk, the large British company, how I arrived each morning as I presumed he definitely had Liberal feelings!
Another odd story re: the Welsh Patent Agent John Chappell. In 1940 when my Father joined the RAF and was sent to South Wales, my Mother drove me and our housekeeper to visit the small village, "Cowbridge" near the Air Force station. It was suggested that there were 2 local farms who might be available for us to stay. The first farm looked fairly rough and dirty, so Nora (housekeeper) said she would go up the muddy pathway to enquire. There was a young boy, 8 years old, kicking a football around and kicked it to me, I had never tried it before so I gently managed to push it a couple of feet, which made him laugh! Nora returned and told my Mother "absolutely Not" much too dirty. The second farm was just perfect for us. We stayed almost 2 weeks until we saw from a high hill, the German planes bombing Cardiff. Daddy told us to go home before this war gets any worse. All this was a few weeks before the "Battle of Britain".
In 1963 I became the Bookkeeper and assistant Manager For Marks and Clerk in Ottawa, the same John Chappell was the managerial Patent Agent!! John did tell me the name of his village, but I never told him the circumstances as his wife told me "John never mentions his war years, he is too
embarrassed."
An amusing situation!
Keep cheerful.
Suzanne
October 22, 2024
Truly sorry to hear today's cancellations. Facing operations at any time is a worry, but these cancellations may be the correct answer to many probabilities.
Last week Graham and I had a discussion about his "pacemaker and defibrillator " inserted nine years ago when he was 41. He said if there are any other types of problems, he knows he has to be in a large hospital with a heart specialist and department. Five years ago when working with his now same Hi Tech company he was sent to California to a Corporation meeting and to interview about 400 people from their customer's corporations. The Director of this American Corp took him to dinner the night he arrived; telling Graham that he had been advised of his medical problems. He was kindly told "Please, never worry about medical
high costs all over the USA, my Corp will always pay every single $Dollar, even if we have to fly you home or to another hospital." Needless to say it was a relief to Graham.
In two weeks time Graham will be in Los Vegas for another extremely large convention with over 700 Hi Tech customers. These are customers with whom he deals from home on his five large computer screens, trying to fix their problems.
Two weeks away from home will be difficult for both Graham and Ana, plus their two large dogs. Ana is a Managerial Rehabilitating Therapist, who also works from home most days, then at the hospitals in Duncan or Victoria.
Enjoy our last day of Summer, try to sleep well tonight. Hopefully all will happen soon; your Dr. has to organize it all. As you say it's not good to worry.
Suzanne
October 21, 2024
John was one of the first people that I met on my first day of shopping in Almonte, August 1978. The only grocery store was right next door to his furniture store.
We rented a house on the corner of Farm and Brae St, moving in on Saturday August 1st weekend; Sunday mid-day the toilet backed up, flowing down into the basement where we had stacked many good boxes. Luckily the Mayor lived right opposite, from where we had collected the keys to the house. Eventually it all turned out that the house had never been attached to the main sewer pipe on Farm St.. which was installed in 1930's! Old Mr. MacGregor, who lived on the other corner, told us that he always had the best vegetable garden and green grass!!
This summer when Mill and Brae streets were dug up, Christa Lowry literally happened to bump into me, so I took the opportunity to tell her the story; she was amazed and said "I have to make sure that this area is made absolutely safe."
Quite another small story!
October 20, 2024
An extraordinary and ridiculous superstition. Thank Goodness it does not survive today.
I'm wondering which St. Paul's clergyman could even be thinking of such nonsense?
October 18, 2024
Very well said as usual. I had a reunion with two old friends this morning, only by email; some disquieting news, however hope is around the corner and they are keeping cheerful and praying.
In the morning I shall be up @ 5am to catch a flight back to Almonte, 10 hours of Travel.
Good night.
Suzanne
October 16, 2024
I agree, there are other ways to enjoy one's food on any occasion! I appear to have stayed with the (now old) wartime English country food. A mixture that (tried to) keep us all healthy!
The only animal that everyone would not eat was "Mutton", the oldest toughest sheep that you could imagine. Once their wool was too old and "unspinable" it became a"natural" food, which even many dogs would not touch! I'm sure the conversation made up for the lack of turkey!
Our Thanksgiving meal was amazing. Graham stuffed and cooked a delicious young "fresh " turkey , with two kinds of potatoes, almost 6 types of vegetables, the juice of the cooked
"Innards" became a delicious gravy; he also BBq'd 2 pork tenderloins. Ana made 4 kinds of desserts.This was for 9 of our Family including 2 under 12 children.
Eventually I was told to go and sit down, you’ve done enough for now. A short while later I discovered why I should disappear. Suddenly someone pulled a chair next to me whilst I was reading; A familiar voice said "hello Grandma", Dr. Sarah Cannell my step-grand-daughter, an Emergency Specialist. One of the biggest surprises you can imagine! Three weeks ago she removed from 5 years in Saskatoon to Duncan, a half hour’s drive from Graham and Ana's house. Ana’s elder sister is the Orthopaedic Surgeon at the Duncan hospital, She and Sarah had spoken together by phone and finally met each other last night! Sarah will come here on Thursday afternoon when we can all walk the dogs, including her Rescued 10 months old puppy.
On Friday Graham and I have to leave at 7 am to drive to Victoria for me to catch my flight to Calgary, change planes to fly to Ottawa arriving at 7.30 pm. 10 hours altogether. Our dear friends Ray and Kathy Lowe will meet me and drive me home; during that time I shall treat them to a nice meal somewhere, I shall be starving hungry, in spite of taking a few sandwiches with me!
Having been taken to so many beautiful places, It's going to be very difficult to leave here. Graham just told me their 2 Huskies will also miss me and I shall miss all the long walks with them.
Keep well and cheerful.
Suzanne
October 15, 2024
That is a very good reason, especially for me, to never buy anything online, not even Amazon. I have heard many such recent stories, also the Banks "just Give up".
Best of luck.
Suzanne
October 13, 2024
Very interesting! Especially the "Queen Mary" which always sailed from Southampton to New York and back home slightly East of The New Forest. My Father's sister sailed in her on her first initial journeys back and forth. My Aunt gave me a cardboard copy of each level of the ship. It always stood on my antique desk in my bedroom; unfortunately it did not come to Canada with me.
After W.W.2, I often stayed with a school friend who lived in a small village overlooking the English Channel and Southampton Waterway. We always saw both "The Queens" Mary and Elizabeth, which brought hundreds of American Service men and food to England during the War.
You have been a good sailor with many great memories. Unfortunately I am not sailor inclined! Crossing the Atlantic Ocean the first time was almost a total disaster, one of the worst storms in many years hit the Cunard ship in which we sailed. The ship was blown backwards for three days, the Captain had "Mayday" messages sent out for us, as the engine
was about to burst. Quite another story!!
Today we had another beautiful drive "up Island" north to past Comox, there is a large RCAF station there who fly the Northern tip of Canada. A very interesting town. Then to another very old forest through which we walked down to some amazing waterfalls.
The scenery wherever we go just takes one's breath away.
Happy Thanksgiving.
Suzanne
October 11, 2024
Interesting for you to meet up with former clients /sons of clients.
Recently on driving down Appleton side rd I saw the Sign for Minto Construction on a large parcel of land. Are these two young men related to that Company?
Many years ago we owned a Minto house in Parkwood Hills until Ian was 6 years old; we sold the house to move to Calgary as two specialists advised us that the air and weather there would help Ian's extremely bad Asthma. There was a slight improvement, then Graham was born and finally we returned to Ottawa when Graham was just 2. Atomic Energy and Research Council, once more, became their Father's office Places, then we moved to Almonte.
Ian, over the years still occasionally has mild Asthma, except in Australia; now living in Nova Scotia it doesn't surprise me to hear him huffing and puffing when we talk on the telephone.
"Mum" just ignores it, at nearly 57 he certainly knows how to cope!
Time for dog walks! Enough said!
Suzanne
October 10, 2024
I am so glad all went so well this morning; it does help to have a friendly introduction in this situation.
The very best of luck when everything moves forward. Thank you for the beautiful photos. Fall here at first was grey and rainy, thankfully this weekend will be sunny & slightly warmer.
I am having an amazing time here. Graham and I have just returned from a LONG walk with the dogs in the late afternoon sun, down the trail that abuts the property overlooking the water: there were two large ships waiting to be filled with cut wood, then another waiting for High Tide.
Last Saturday we took a ferry to Salt Spring Island, driving around viewing many expensive "cottages" and the beautiful scenery. Sunday we had a delightful visit with Ana's older sister and Family, she is an Orthopaedic Surgeon, the only one on the Island. Graham and Ana stayed in their comfortable Pool house, with dogs, for several months whilst searching for their own home, large modern building in Mill Bay, not far from Victoria.
This weekend we shall drive north up to Comox and beyond, depending where the beautiful scenery inspires us.
G & A both work from home most of the time, so there are always many happy hours together.
Like you, I enjoy every minute that I possibly can each day.
Take care.
Suzanne
October 9, 2024
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Hello, too much travelling before I could tell you about this.
I was Christened in a tiny W & D church just on the edge of the New Forest. It only held about a dozen people. I often rode my bicycle past it to visit one of my school friends. Sometimes I would meet the elderly minister in Ringwood whilst shopping; he would always ask about my Father, who then was in the RAF, Saying "How is my good friend Ronald ?" He once showed me the interior, all whitewashed inside and out.
During the "Battle of Britain" in Summer 1940 when I saw the German bomb falling on "Old Stacks House" almost opposite our home, it was a W & D large 16th century building that completely disintegrated into dust, leaving much furniture standing. The only part of the house that remained was the 14th century brick chimney stack; the original wood house burned and was replaced later with W & D. The chimney stack had many shelves attached, filled with freshly made jams, pickles and bottled tomatoes, which I saw when cycling to the horse farm a little further around the corner. The retired Naval Admiral and wife, also their maid, survived with only scratches and shock. Every usable item was packed and sent to their new home in Bournemouth. The green field opposite my bedroom window was covered in white articles with black blobs all over. That turned out to be the remains of the Admiral's first edition books and dead Rooks from the trees surrounding the house.
After the" Blast " of all our windows, that was when I was sent to the Convent boarding school in WestWood Ho, North Devon. Author Charles Kingsley wrote a book named "WestWood Ho!" in late 1800s.
There is another story to tell about staying in a hotel there a few days before entering the Convent. Another time!!
October 8, 2024 v2
Lovely photos. Fall here is just dark green trees and a few patches of yellow. In the middle of the Town Chemainus there are 6 bright Red maples, a special kind, in a tiny park.
Graham and I have just returned from a special off leash dog park underneath gigantic trees, a few of which are at least 5 hundred years old. The walk was all up and down hills. Graham lent me one of their ski poles, it was a breeze to climb some stiff heights. This afternoon I walked up their extremely steep, long driveway, no problem!
When the sun finally appeared I took a mass of photos all around the interesting property.
I'm just wishing this visit could never end!!
Enjoy as much as you can of the Fall.
Suzanne
October 8, 2024
Hello, Glad to know you are still driving, even into Dows Lake! I lived near there many moons ago! Another beautiful photo.
I have been driven this week-end over many beautiful parts of southern Vancouver Island. One in particular was by Ferry to Salt Spring Island and returning on the same Ferry: a 40 minute journey in the open water of the Pacific Ocean. The scenery is fantastic, the weather cool and calm. Then a lunch of real English Fish and chips in a tiny Cafe in Crofton. All roads curve around and up and down small mountains; even the Trans-Canada Hiway is not straight, still having to curve in and out of many small towns.
Graham and Ana's house near Chamainus is large and very comfortable with much Western Pine walls in one area: We can see the ocean through a gap in very tall trees. We take their two Huskie Dogs for walks through the property to a trail overlooking the ocean, excellent exercise!
Many more gorgeous drives are in their plans to show me once their working days are completed.
Stay safe, enjoy the Fall colours.
Suzanne
October 4, 2024
Two more beautiful Fall photos. It is cooler here than Almonte, but walking two Huskie dogs each evening along a narrow trail right next to the ocean is amazing, breathing the salt sea air always brings me back to an energetic life!
The flight was long but very good, I was well looked after sitting in a wheelchair at each airport. The first flight was a few minutes late arriving in Edmonton, of course both planes were each at the farthest ends of the airport; wheelchair passengers are always first on but last off. I was rushed through hundreds of travellers on a large buggy then down the ramp to the plane which was kept waiting for 8 minutes for me to arrive. Without the said chair I would have lost my flight and luggage!
Graham and Ana have a very interesting large country house on 1 and 1/4 acres of sloping ground very close to the edge but high above the Ocean.
Just watching a green hummingbird visiting a large red Petunia bush, a lovely sight several times a day.
Enjoy the Fall in your new car. Take care.
Suzanne
October 3, 2024
Enjoy, as much as you possibly can, your new vehicle in fine weather, snow is only "around the corner!
October 3, 2024
Oh dear, I remember that song so well, in fact upon reading all the words I was singing it all out loud: I just hope Graham did not hear me! Almost all the words.
"Among these Dark Satanic Mills" used to make our whole school cry, including our two Teachers. It was mid 1940 during the "Battle of Britain", living only 5 miles from the English Channel, we heard and saw so much devastation.
October 1, 2024
I bought all the blue material for 6 large windows in my house on Country St. (floor to ceiling) from Collie Mills in Appleton Village. They survive to-day partly as I wash them on a regular basis; more of the same material I used to cover the couch in our drawing room which has been moved from house to house over the years.
The Appleton Side Rd. also reminds me of the tragic accident years ago of a train ramming and killing our two English friends and their two very young Grandchildren. We were waiting for the "Taylors" to arrive for dinner that evening, only to hear the sad news on CBC T.V. It was a shock that neither of us could believe, or drive again on that road , even many years after the rail track was removed and Hwy#7 was built.
Another "what is life".
Packing all clothes to-morrow, leave on Wednesday.
Very Best of luck this week, May God be watching over you.
Take great care.
Suzanne
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