December 31, 2025

Finally you will be home in your quiet corner of Almonte with the calming beautiful views. 

I am sure on your return to Pembroke you will be able to enjoy the same situation for a few more hours. 

I wish you and Denis a Happy and Healthy New year.

Hugs, Suzanne

December 30, 2025

So glad to know you had an excellent day;  Quite a mixture of excellence, especially to play on a good piano. You have not forgotten and your fingers moved accordingly!

Also the swim in salt water should certainly help aching muscles and bones.

I'm sure you remember Marvin and Joy Sheets  in #101, Joy used to swim almost every day, she has cut it back a bit now, mainly because of the winter driving.

Hopefully all goes well for you today.

Stay under Dr's orders and your recovery should be good, but possibly not as quickly as you would like. Remember the older we are, the longer it Takes!! 

You are not alone, St. Denis is always understanding.

Hugs to Both.  Suzanne

December 27, 2025 v3

Please take the greatest care when driving.  Yesterday within a couple of Klms 

the roads almost suddenly changed. 

You were Both wise to start out before Freezing rain etc

Enjoy a few hours of playing a good piano, and eating excellent food 

that Denis will not have cooked, a good change for him ! 

Best of luck with the surgery, also the recovery procedure.  

I will keep you in my prayers for the next few days. 

Hugs,  Suzanne

December 27, 2025 v2

Thanks Bill, you are too kind.

It is a beautiful sunny cold day, I will not bother to get dressed up just to go outside for

a few minutes.  However I hope you and Denis enjoy the sun on your lovely corner.

The last few seconds of sun eventually reaches the balcony; that is when I shall put on

my special "Yellowknife" sweater and plug in the lights on my Christmas tree.

At St.George's early tomorrow morning, it is still "Christmas Season" for a few more days.

December 27, 2025

Very thoughtful good wishes, no matter the unavoidable distance.

To-day, 27th is son Ian's 58th Birthday. How quickly those years have passed, remembering that tiny 4¼ lb healthy baby, now living in Nova Scotia, and Mum realizing how much he has achieved during those past years.

Hopefully even more worldwide recognition for him in the coming years.

Time for a long Happy Birthday phone call! 

Suzanne

December 12, 2025

 I wrote a long letter re; My father's Rolex watch  which he had until he swam

 in the Indian Ocean  a few years after W.W,1,  all after the "Mock Beggar 

Rebellion when , as the first British officer he managed to Nab  "Mahatma Gandhi"

Some time later the weather became unusually extra hot. My Father drove to

the Indian Ocean and managed to swim in the cooler water for a long time.

Needless to say that was the end of his Rolex, but he still had the gold chain

which he always wore with his waistcoat and different watch, also attached 

with his house key !

What happened to Wilson Basille  ?  Tony and I rented a house on Water St,

Almonte, for a few months that Wilson had partially repaired after a fire there.

It was comfortable for the winter; during which time I flew up to Yellowknife to

 help look after Tony's 3 grandchildren while Their Mother Katie ,tried to find

a reasonable workplace. Her Husband had a new position attached to the Cdn

Army in Northwest Territories. When I arrived there a week after they found a

house, it was -72* and stayed that way for almost 2 months ! I returned to Almonte

3 months later in Spring time, OH ! It was so nice to be warm again!  Then Tony

and I found the 25 acres of land in Clayton.  Would you believe Wilson had almost

finished building a new house, overlooking Clayton Lake much too close to the water,

he and the then official inspector (I forget his well known name) almost came to 

Fisty-Cuffs as he refused to move the house back to the edge of Tatlock Rd.

Post Scriptum:

December 13, 2025

Thank you Bill, yes it certainly was Bruce Monteith.  We became friendly with both

Bruce and his wife Anne,  especially after Bruce learned that I had several relations,

long gone by that time;  Alexander (Graham) Bell, and Duke of Montrose, both of whom

 were first cousins to my Father's Father.  Alexander chose the "Graham" to add 

to his name once he was beginning to be well known, just a might "snobbish" !

December 8 , 2025

A great winter afternoon ! That was just what you needed after the last few days.

I haven't seen dear Shirley Duego for a number of years, especially since she

is now a twice over widow. We go back a long way, even when she was still a

nurse in A.G.H.

Memories, memories; even Stephen 

Brathwaite and his renowned sister , whom

for several summers, invited Tony and I plus Our Grandchildren from Yellowknife,

to spend a day with Puppets, learning how to make and play with them.  Those

now 30 year old's have never forgotten the joy that it all gave them.      

Now back to cooking for tomorrow evening; It is the Christmas Tuesday Dinner 

with the Condo owners, we now have 6 new ones in the last 2 months, trying to

put names to faces is not easy at times !

Back to work ! 

December 7, 2025 v2

I wondered at first if this photo was of St.Paul's ,Almonte,

after changing my glasses the answer. was No !.

The afternoon Service went very well, unfortunately due to the snow 

there were very few visitors.  

I read the 9th Lesson from John, re:The great mystery of the Incarnation. 

The last Carol, afterwards was "Joy to the world". 

Reading through all 9 Lessons before which one I should read, it was

amazing to find that in centuries ago especially in the same old countries ,

 nothing much has changed, wars and fighting, loss of homes, food 

shortages and uncomfortable lives under hated rulers. 

Keep warm, cold winter is with us for the next two weeks.O

December 7, 2025

Another beautiful, appropriate winter photo, Thank you.

This afternoon we are having "A Lessons and Carols 

Service", in which I shall read the last Lesson and

(hopefully) sing with a mixed group of people, who after 3/4 hour

practice together, should be able to sound like a choir ! 

St. George's has offered this start to the Christmas Season for

the last few years, then tea and cookies in Grace Hall.

The last one we had a full Church, but with Cold weather who Knows !

December 6, 2025

Today's photo is a beautiful old gnarled tree, maybe a maple ?

OThere are times when I feel almost the same as the tree. ! 

How ever life continues on, whether we like it or not, so we

just have to manage the best way we can; certainly not as

quickly as years gone by.  I know I am fortunate at the moment

but for how much. longer; last Thursday afternoon I drove into

Carleton Place for groceries that I cannot buy in Almonte, 3 hours 

later,after having to lign up to pay in each store, it was almost dark,

driving home was horrendous.  2 years ago when I moved back into

Almonte I told my friends, please no more invitations once darkness

is upon us, especially in Winter , also my Family is concerned enough

about me even driving at all !

Now my rule is : If I need more groceries in C.P Mornings only and in

Good luck with the tooth;  I think I have to wait until the New year to have

the " bridge" attached to the good tooth next to the now "Gap", I'm just 

careful not to smile too broadly or eat hard nuts ! 

Wednesday I go to the local Optometrist to check the slight pressure in my

Eyes,  one thing after another, hardly surprising @ almost 93 !

OhYes, is your Birthday Tomorrow  11th ?

December 5, 2025

That was quite a day!  So glad that all went well, apart from having to walk down a corridor, another time hopefully you will have a volunteer to push you in a special chair.

In my Top Volunteer time  I remember there were two separate hospitals, one

Roman Catholic and the other "Normal" as they called it !  Both fairly close to

the other.   Almost everyone had true Ottawa Valley accents; at breakfast  just

before the special large Convention, at which I was the Chairmen, a lady with 

an Irish accent suddenly asked "May I call you Queen ?"!!   It was hilarious!

We remained good friends for a number of years, meeting in Toronto for more conventions! 

By the weeks you mention, that must be almost Christmas.  Glad to know you

booked into a hotel.  Once more Denis becomes St.! 

Today's photo is beautiful, Wintertime. Far more picturest than the previous day,

A solemn, worried, nervous face.

Take care,  Suzanne

November 30, 2025

Best of luck for tomorrow, both the drive and the surgeon's expertise.

You mention the Tesla Charger in your former building, that is exactly

where I park my long Kia Forte Ex, right against the concrete wall,

Thankfully the owners behind me are "away down South" for the winter,

however my neighbour who lives exactly opposite my front door, persistently

refuses to drive into her parking space a foot closer to her front wall where 

there is no storage unit, her vehicle is shorter and higher than mine !!  

There are all different kinds of people in this world !  

November 29, 2025

Well, Well Bill our history goes even further back than either of us realise.

I am sure you remember that my Father was a Squadron Leader in the 

R.A.F. He was in charge of the defence of 5 AirFields,1 after the other in the 

first 2 years of WW2. During the last 3 years he was stationed @ "Upwood"

just outside Ramsey, Lincolnshire a very Flat area of countryside holding 5

RAF stations plus 2 American; the Lancaster bomber and Mosquitos were

named "Pathfinders".  At that time the RAF Regiment was formed, so Daddy

was once more in Khaki uniform !  But, still in charge of the defence of all 7

Airfields.  Each school holiday Mummy and I would stay with the CO's Family

@ Upwood; he had 2 daughters, one older, the other younger than myself. 

Later after the war, Daddy told the story of how he had met the Canadian

Lancaster pilot who sank the German "Turpitz", their prized largest warship.

Also before Turpitz sank they shot the Lancaster down whose crew "almost"

did not survive. 

A quick note, you missed out the Wellington Bomber.  Just after the war during 

Tony's 2 year "Call Up" essential service in RAF, he was the only young 

man allowed to "start up" the engine of the Wellington every morning.

That is how Tony and I first met, he was looking for a print of the Wellington and

came into the small antique store on Mill St !!

November 28, 2025

Another lovely story. A reminder of A.A. Milne. I believe I was given over time, all of his books, which I adored and even brought to Canada. When my children were young they would ask for "Winnie the pooh" as their nighttime story.  

Unfortunately the books did not survive our first night in the rented house on the

corner of Farm and Brae Sts, Almonte , also many other treasures that had been

dumped in the basement.

November 27, 2025

It was a miserable looking morning but the perfect day to be out and about, no rain or snow.

After a quick breakfast of a cheese and marmalade sandwich, which is often lunch 

after a usual very healthy breakfast consisting 7 different items, nuts, unsweetened

grated coconut, dried Mulberries over the top of cooked Quinoa and Chia seeds,

then large dollops of Lactose Free yogourt and L.F Milk. That all takes plenty of time

to eat, especially with one front tooth missing,  hence the reversal of meals !! 

I drove into Carleton Place to take an enormous bag of excellent winter clothes to

"Interval house". They were items that I knew I would never wear again, living in this

small town, instead of Our 25 acres in Clayton.  We used to walk through many parts

there in the winter, watching where the deer would habitually sleep, also keeping an

eye out for Porcupines as 2 of  them chewed through our original Western Cedar 

Front steps. 

The lady who answered the door at  I.H. told me how grateful they are and desperately 

need so much at this time of the year.  I was also able to tell them That St.George's

Church, has once again sent them a cheque, possibly already arrived. 

On returning home I drove past the golf club through to Appleton side road and turning

off to get to the grocery store to pick up my 3 months of blood pressure pills, the only

item that I need to take each day. Dear Miriam,  when handing me the pills, laughingly

said "Neither the Dr or I will ever make much money from you;  my retort was "let's

 keep it that way "!  By that time her Assistant was there, it was a good laugh that we all needed.

November 25, 2025 v4

I changed my glasses but... there does not seem to be much change in either photo.

The only difference last year was my suit is almost Lavender in colour, not bright Blue ! 

Thank you Bill for your effort;  however my heavy solid gold broache does show up a

 fraction more in the AI picture !

Maybe I should mention that when attending Heather Sheffield's funeral Ray Timmons

walked past me, suddenly turned around having seen me saying " Sue you haven't

changed at all " and gave me a big Hug !  At the same time I must have slightly 

raised my left arm showing my Gold Watch..He was absolutely amazed 

Post Scriptum:

Each time I try to finish a couple of more words, then whoosh  it has already been sent ! 

Last night in my last paragraph, re: Ray T. " He was absolutely amazed, "Because he

gave me my Gold  (Birk's favourite) watch on behalf of the A.G.H. Board in recognition

of all the extra volunteer work across half of Ontario, finishing in 1998. So I told him

As long as it has a special new battery every two years it keeps perfect time.

The photo of the elegant lady in a beautifully made silk "Frock" is delightful.  

Nowadays the word Frock is practically unknown !  

November 25, 2025 v3

I agree, that was a really uplifting beautiful morning, especially when the sun finally 

showed it's self shining on the ice covered trees.  That photo of the river so smooth

with a touch of ice on it all,  what more could we need.  I always feel slightly sorry 

for Ian, the Atlantic provinces only occasionally have wet snow and slush with very

little sun, especially In Dartmouth and Halifax  with fog pouring in from the Ocean.

The rest of Canada can be extremely cold but sunshine is usually not far away.

November 25, 2025 v2

Thank you Bill,  I did not know that you had seen that photo, Taken last year.

I shall ask Gary Nicholson if he would print one copy, so that I can post it to

 my one last friend in England. He and his small family came to Canada for a few short years as a partner in Marks and Clerk, Patent Agents @ Lincoln's Inn Fields, London.

I was the Bookeeper for M&C  in Ottawa for almost 10 years; I sent all financial

statements each month back to London.  They were the largest and Oldest Patent Agents in the U.K. Plus beginning to buy-out in Europe; now they have offices in almost every

country in the world. Alan Clifford and wife Jeanette,  now have an amazing amount of

 Great- Grand-children; he grew up in a tiny Cornish village, once in university he knew

that he had to work extremely hard, he became the youngest ever, Partner in M&C @

27 years old ! Each time I returned to UK with a young child, I stayed with them in their

gradually increasing sized bungalow in Berkshire. The last time there with very young

Graham, I met their first Daughter-in- law and Grandson who with their eldest son also

 lived in their home ! 

That was the time that I told Alan about the Welsh Ottawa office manager, whom he did not like;  that John C, was the young boy who kicked a football to me in the grubby farm

in South Wales in 1940. !!  It was a hilarius few minutes; Alan said "This is time for a

really good drop of whiskey!!  

Serendipity, it certainly was !

November 25, 2025

My Goodness,  Your Arnprior Car retailer will certainly miss you

when the time comes that you can no longer drive  !!

Very best of luck "young Man " !!

Post Scriptum:

My Father owned one of those 1920's car;  when he came to Ottawa for his 90th

birthday we took him to the Science museum , with Ian aged 4, he was running 

beside "Grandpa"  when my Father suddenly called to us all "Look at this old car"

That was mine, right down to the exact colour "Navy Blue".   He drove it when in

India, especially during their hot humid weather when most Europeans retired to

 the cooler mountains.  Once Ian was in bed that night, he told us about "The 

Mockbeggar Rebellion", for which he has a special Medal, as he was the first

British Officer to arrest "Mahatmas Gandhi",   he only managed that by Saying to

him, 'Mr'Gandhi, it is only for your own safety".  The crowds of people were increasing

like water running down a hill !

November 18, 2025

Thanks Bill, I already knew about that outage for a few hours during the morning,  

but it was part of Mill street, the Island  and as far as opposite the old Flour Mill.

That was to increase the electric power to the original charging station, the first 

one in Almonte at that time, which is now privately owned.  All for electric vehicles.!   

That does not tell us why our Hydro suddenly went out at around 8pm on Monday

night.     

November 17, 2025 v2

Another remembrance photo !   I still have our two copper kettles, one small

and the other large,  which I now use for watering the plants on the balcony ! 

In the kitchen we had a gas stove, then September 4, 1939 my Father ordered

a "coke" stove on which we cooked during all the War years, it also heated the

Water.  It was great for me being a short 7 year old,  as after Daddy joined the

RAF, and Mummy and I were alone, one cold winter evening she backed into

the Drawing room 's open small Coke stove and burnt her long silk velvet skirt;

Naturally it burned the backs of her legs and she lived with the scars for the rest

of her life. That was when I had to suddenly learn to cook, as she was in bed for

several weeks, scrambled eggs was my first attempt. 

Thankfully we had a few chickens who were laying the odd egg in cold weather,

another job to do was to put out their feed !  Eventually Daddy had a 48 hours leave,

he tried to find someone to help out, no luck, so the chickens were given to a 

neighbour, then the Government took control as to how many birds and how many

eggs she was allowed to sell.  Rationing became extremely strict within the first

year and almost forced everyone to live on 80 ounces of food a day. 

Enough of old memories !

Post Scriptum:

Please, what does this old photo represent ?  

Our Hydro went  out for almost 15 minutes , about half an hour ago.

I was in the kitchen and had just put down my very large chopping 

knife, so I carefully managed to walk in the pitch blackness holding 

onto to edge of the counters , then to the edge of of the dining table

etc: I almost made it to the bedroom when the lights came on and there 

was my very small flashlight on the small old table just inside the bedroom

door.  A scary time, I was really afraid of falling down. 

Now I wonder why it all happened, did something hit a lamp post or was it 

just high winds.

November 17, 2025

Butternut squash soup is what I hope to make tomorrow with fresh thinly sliced Ginger.    There is another recipe with Butternut Squash and Sliced Fennel, 

I have not tried that one.  I make all soups in my now 20 year old "Instant Pot",

also using Chicken broth instead of water. The Pot makes amazing stews of

all kinds and saves hours of cooking in the oven, especially now that I am alone. 

There is nothing quite as good as homemade hot soup on a cold winter day ! 

Forget about donuts, they are not made Gluten or Lactose free !  It was in 1963

after returning to Canada , there was an amazing donut store in West Ottawa ;

where they made fancy donuts with centers full of whipped cream and tiny 

chocolats, plus all kinds of unusual rich fillings.  It was the actual dough that I

realised I could not eat wheat or dark brown bread,  remembering my Father

who never had a sandwich and the only cake he would eat was always made

with rich fruits,eggs and cornstarch !  When he was born in 1883, he had to 

be fed with Ass's milk; during the 2nd W War all children up until age 16 had

to drink 1/4 pint of milk every morning at school; cycling home for lunch my 

Tummy ached and felt like a hard balloon, I was told a few years later, that I

asked  "Did Daddy have milk in his tea ?" of course the answer was "No"

Featured image: Pinterest

November 14, 2025

Two Amazing photos  !  

The first,  of course, a large front "Gap" which in time will finally be closed with a "bridge".

It is almost exactly the same as My "gap".  At least "I still Have my 2 front Teeth"; wasn't there an old Wartime song

stating the obvious ! It is the next tooth on the left side that is missing !  I have to wait for the "Bridge" for at least 

two months, possibly more due to my 92, 3/4s age ! I had no pain whatsoever, thankfully as I am highly Allergic to

Tylenol and probably Advil.  

The second photo , a beautiful sunset over the river.  Did you see the gorgeous Nightsky Aurora Borealis , or was

it all too cloudy ?.  I tried to watch @ about 2am, but the large two tall Lights at the back of the building keep it

almost daylight; thankfully I still have my heavy thick curtains for each of the 3 windows that I made for my Country 

St. House in about 1982 !  All Washable and the material was made in the old building not far from the Golf course !

Have a good night ,

November 8, 2025

Sorry to hear the bad news of your new car, although with high mileage in a short time;  however that subject should not make any difference.

The CEO of both local hospitals,who now lives here, has recently acquired a GM electric car.  The noise from having a new charging station installed downstairs, lasted a whole day right under my apartment. Brad's parking space is at the furthest end of the building, also mine is at the opposite end with the now unused charging station ! 

If only we could have swapped parking spaces, it would have been simpler and less expensive, also we would not have to walk from one end to the other ! 

Best of luck, "waiting" is not easy at t times; I found that out when the mice ate through my 3 year old car and the insurance company took over 3 months before inspecting the problem. Kia had to keep it at the back of their lot with police tape all around and a sign "do not touch"!  Kia and son Graham, then living in Vernon B.C , kept in touch by phone every week, I eventually ran out of insurance funding for loan cars, Frustration all around !!

However the Service department, also Sales, @ Kia are my best friends, I am treated like a Queen !!

November 7, 2025

That is a beautiful photo of your niece, especially having it printed on canvas.  The hallway is certainly one

of the best places for it to be seen, as were some of our items in Clayton.

Yesterday was a day of removing the last of half dead flowers from the balcony and taking them out of the pots,

then taking the soil outside to cover the roots of "OUR" rosebush then covering it with 2 layers of winter protection

special covers, minus the usual dried leaves, the wet snow ruined piles of leaves ! Fingers crossed it survives Winter !

Today I will wash all the containers from outside and take them downstairs to the underground storage unit.

Saturday I shall go to Clayton for the Remembrance Service @ 11 am overlooking the lake, close to the General

Store,  put on by the Almonte Legion with the Marching Band of Canadian Artillery from Petawawa. 

Sunday I shall ask David Moat if I can hitch a ride with him for St.G's special Remem: Service, the weather forecast

is not good, heavy snow.  I think I will read  Tony's special poem "Cherish the Brave" that he wrote and was first read 

@ the dedication of the Korean War Memorial at Confederation Square, Ottawa without his Knowledge. (That's another

sad frustrating story).

Low battery, so time to start working !

November 5, 2025

I hope all is well now.  Maybe today is the time for your front tooth removal. not the best of times, but I am sure you are exceptionally well attended; also by St. Denis, whom by all accounts, must have the patience of "Joab".

This morning, after a poor night's sleep, worry, worry; I too went to visit, once more, "Our" excellent Dentist. A few days ago I heard a grinding noise and felt sure A piece of filling had fallen from another tooth on the  opposite side of my mouth.  However all is well and Dr Naji thinks I was just "grinding" my teeth as I have a small "over bight".   "Now you may eat salads again, but NO nuts !  A few more weeks and you should the new "Bridge".

These are the times when I do not like having to "live alone ".  However I appear to have made some  exceptional friends in this Condo Apartment Building.  Especially Joy Sheets, and Gary and Joyce Nicholson.

Nothing seems to be too much trouble, for Joy, "Once a nurse, always a Nurse" !.  Joyce N. was a nurse,but now recently turned 90 is slightly frail, but still full of laughter;  Gary, ex RCMP, has time to fix all sorts; from "old alarm clocks"  to computers, then in the last few days My Television;  it was a real Conumdren and frustrating for days and days;  Now all is fixed and I was able to see "The Budget".  I still feel we chose the correct PM, to deal with Trump and Canada's next few years, financially he is the only person to drive ahead;

Hopefully I will see many successful opportunities work out, apart from Alberta, Canada is becoming one very strong country, new Trade partners from around the world,  also an increased size of the Military, needed especially in our Far North.

Have a good night.

November 1, 2025

 

Re: De Minimis . An interesting article.

I learned the meaning of this Latin word when I was at the Catholic Convent in Westward Ho!, Devon in 1940 ! 

Many years later my Mother was reading one of UK's  (then) great newspapers,  when she asked rhetorically"what on

earth does that mean ? My immediate answer was "Forget It".  She just turned to me with a surprised look, saying

"Thank you". 

So now may I say to you , Forget it  !  If someone wants to make stupid suggestions over something that happened

many years ago; De Minimis.  !!

Post Scriptum:

You are very welcome.   Thank you for the delightful photo , a whole wall of books, Wow ! Obviously they have to be

Law -in -clined.  A very comfortable small room looking towards your desk with the window overlooking the fields and

river. Today is not the time to sit on the balcony, winter is not too far away.

October 30, 2025

I am sorry to hear your latest news of skin cancer.  It can be removed fairley easily, but probably not

4 t one time.

I am sure that I told you that I had the same problem a couple of months ago. Mine was a lump on one side 

of my nose, not a pretty site !  However my Almonte Doctor , Jordan Milko, recommended Dr Kelly,

Ottawa Skin Cancer, 303 Moodie Drive, Suite320, Ottawa K2H 9R4 , 613 596 5322 , fax 613604 0044.

www.ottawaskincancer.com   clinic@ottawaskincancer.com 

She is a delightful young woman originally from New Zealand. She also does Reconstructive Surgery.

It only took her 20 minutes to cut , remove and stitch, after the sight was frozen.  Now after using Vaseline from

day 2, a great healing agent, I cannot see the sight.

She is also an amazing photographer; she has several enormous photos on the walls of beautiful Waterfalls in

South Island. N.Z.

  

Maybe your Dermatologist already knows of Dr. Kelly.

I wish you good luck.  Once more, it always seems to be "One thing after another"!   Now I am eating Soft Foods

since I had that one "almost " front tooth removed, then waiting for 2 more months before the "Bridge" can be

attached.   Old age could be an awful lot worse. but at least I am still independent  !  Yesterday I drove into

Smiths Falls to visit Kinkaid Loney, Monument builders, to organise the purchase of a granite  "Mono"  for 

Tony and myself to be placed in St. George's Cemetery, Bowland Rd, Clayton.  Tony's son Todd, is "Far too 

busy @ C I B C. "  to drive to Smiths Falls at any time, I should not complain as he will pay half of the price

and he more or less accepts whatever I choose.  The wooden cross planted over Tony' Ashes is already in

poor shape, so another winter will have to be the last one.

A cheerful Good Night. !    Suzanne

October 17, 2025

 

Still working on it. 

A really busy day, too many phone calls, especially one from UK, Re: Finances, so I gave the

Foreign accented man Todd's phone number.  I could not understand one word , even after politely asking him

to speak slowly.  Straight away I wondered if it was a scam.  But.he phoned back 3 times, which I did not answer.

Time will tell. ! 

My Dentist's day for extraction has changed to this coming Monday 10am, instead of a week later.  Now I have

to find out if there is a taxi to take me there and home again.  Sunday Am, I shall ask if anyone has an idea. 

The forecast is for rain all day, the ground is bone dry again.

Do you happen to know Wayne Guthrie (re: Tatlock Mine).  I understand he has just moved into OrchardView. 

He still drove to Clayton most Sundays and would read the Lessons when it was his turn. He has "Parkiinsons"

which maybe is increasing. His dear wife Lynn, died 5 years ago, then one of his sons moved in with him for

a while, but he preferred to be alone.

October 16, 2025 v2

 

No wonder you needed to sit down!

I’ve meant to ask — who is your dentist? Who else could it be but Dr. Naji Louis, all those years ago! I still remember climbing those steep steps behind the RBC to have a rear molar removed. Thankfully, he was a strong young man then; it took him several breaks and a good deal of effort to get that tooth out. I can still hear him apologizing, saying with a grin, “I’m sweating like an old pig!”

I believe I was his third or fourth patient after he took over from the previous dentist — I forget his name, though I recall he lived on Parkview Crescent — and all that old equipment came with the practice!

Tomorrow I’ll have to call Dr. Louis’s office, as the second half of my tooth has broken off, leaving, I think, the base still in place. My appointment is set for Monday, October 27 at 11 a.m. I’m not looking forward to the whole ordeal — the extraction, the healing, the waiting for the bridge. I suspect I’ll be living on homemade soups for a while.

This afternoon’s outing to Carleton Place for shopping wore me out. The dry goods from Bulk Barn can wait until morning, but I managed to squeeze everything else into the small fridge. How I miss my lovely kitchen — the large fridge and induction stove, the freezer in the garage, and that built-in desk with drawers on either side, perfect for my two computers.

And of course, the countertop island with its pull-out stand for short little me! The four-person table in the bay window overlooking my handmade garden, bright with perennials — such beautiful memories.

Good night.

Post Scriptum:

Thanks Bill, Almost exactly the same view as "1175" Bellamy Mills Rd

October 16, 2025

An extraordinarily busy day, no wonder you needed to sit down ! 

I have meant to ask you, who is your dentist !.     Who else , other than Dr.Naji Louis all those

years ago !  I remember climbing all those steps behind the R.B.C, to have one rear Molar removed.

Thankfully he was a healthy, strong young man at the time;  it took him a lot of energy with several

breaks to remove that tooth and finally he apologised because he said "I'm sweating like an old Pig. "

I believe I was his 3rd or 4th patient  after taking over the previous Old dentist's practice (I forget his

name, but I remember he lived on Parkview Crescent )  also all the old equipment ! 

Tomorrow I have to phone Dr Louis's office as the 2nd half of my tooth broke off , leaving, I think,

the base in place.  My original appointment is Monday Oct.27 @ 11 am. 

I am not looking forward to all the next process after the removal, then having to wait during the 

"Healing"  for at least a month, then having a "bridge" attached.  I suspect I shall be living on

homemade soups for a while ! 

It was shopping in C.P. this afternoon, the" dried" stuff from Bulk Barn will wait until the morning,

but everything else was squeezed into the small fridge.  How I miss my lovely Kitchen, with the

large fridge and "Induction"stove, also a large freezer in the garage ; an inserted desk with drawers

either side, plenty of room for my 2 computers !   A Countertop Island with pull out stand on drawer ( for short "ME") !

A 4 person table and chairs in the Bay window overlooking my hand made garden with perennial flowers.

Beautiful memories !  Good night !

October 15, 2025

Interesting, as usual !     

I haven't seen that old English word "Ossifi"  for many years ! 

So now you have given Denis a new Title, absolutely perfect and well deserved .

October 12, 2025

Denis took a beautiful photo; now I am trying to figure out, early morning before the sun rises, 

or late evening just before dark,  The burnt corn stalks with a magnificent sky over the river. 

And you are trying to figure out a fairly lengthy life;  well to be truthful I think I just take one 

day at a time,  good or bad !  in the last couple of weeks it has been disheartening; 

 

First of all, one half of an almost front tooth fell out while trying to quickly eat breakfast early

Sunday morning; so I arrived at St. George's church trying not to smile too broadly. 

Our kind Minister, Robert, asked "is anything wrong , you don't appear to be your usual 

happy self ?".  I just tried a quick smile, "Oh dear , any Pain ?"  I just shook my head while 

trying to carry a handful of Altar stuff.    So Monday I made an appointment with my dentist,

A week later, one day before the appointment, the other half of the same tooth broke off.

After an Xray the last of the tooth has to come out, then he will eventually make a "bridge".

 Of course,  at large expense, but it will be the best way to compensate it all, as I have only

lost 2 Molars many years ago before my children were born. 

In the meantime my tomatoes are ripening well, the rest of the balcony plants are still 

inside until it is warmer, probably tomorrow .

In the morning I shall return to Clayton to visit the annual " Crown and Pumpkin " Tour. 

Plus St G's Community breakfast. The 2 day Tour is all "Arts and Crafts". The advert says

"One of the most artistically diverse tours in Ontario."  They have come up in the world

since I left Clayton !  We always had lots of traffic on Bellamy Mills Rd, now I see there is

a stop on Mill St. plus 4 more in Almonte,  also Robert Pauly, quilts & Sculpture, with 

Barb Mullally, Jewellery. close to The General store.

Another early morning!  Good night