Search This Blog

January 31, 2025

SO you are both enjoying warm weather and sea air.  No matter the difference from a few years back, you have changed your daily operations to suit your ability, for which I commend you. The route on the map looks interesting , also you have found a comfortable place where you are still able to watch the ever moving ocean for as long as you wish.

Today I tried ironing the Altar cloth  only to find that my excellent steam iron needed to have the water - section cleaned. The small bottle of cleaning solution was practically empty, so that meant a trip to Home Hardware; they told me the manufacturer had gone out of business, then laughingly said " very few people know how or need to iron these days".  (A sign of my age ? !) 

Eventually they compensated by offering a larger bottle of coffee machine cleaner, which I am now waiting to see the results;  I shall first test the iron on a piece of white cloth.  I have to finish the 8ft long Altar cloth tomorrow and return it to St.G's early Sunday morning

I am still waiting to hear if one small metal part in my sewing machine can be replaced,  if not I am told there is a slightly smaller machine of the same make (Pfaff) available;  now thinking about it all, I shall not be making heavy cushions and curtains any more, those days are over, so after I inspect and try the smaller machine it makes sense to purchase.  Once more, Time will tell! 

Trump is showing his true colours, finally Canada appears to be in a better position , it looks as though it will be "Tit for Tat" . BUT... still extremely expensive for all our needs. 

Good night

January 30, 2025

Very interesting history of the Island and the relief of the slaves.

I did not realize that  Savannah, Georgia is only a few miles south of the Island.   In 1962 my late husband and I stayed in a beautiful cottage in the centre of town. It was owned by my parents' friends who visited their home in Chelsea, London for many Seasons.  We were greeted in Savannah by a delightful aged Black "Nanny". who showed us around the home, gave us an excellent lunch and suggested that perhaps we would like to have an afternoon "Nap" before the somewhat large evening dinner with "lots of guests arriving to meet us."  Now I completely forget the owners’ names, but when trying to find their home in a tiny hidden lane, we noticed their name on many "Advertising Boards". All around the city.  Eventually we met the owners who greeted us as "Long lost Family". Later "Nanny" asked me if I would like to change my clothes for the evening, "Miss Susan"  is about your size, and always leaves some suitable dresses in the cupboard in your bedroom. I was just wearing a cotton frock, thankfully Husband wore his only pair of decent trousers and a good shirt!  When travelling for 3 months in various weather changes, we packed very lightly and carefully! Plus carrying a rolled up tent etc: in our 1 year old station wagon.

Their Family owned at least half of Savannah, also the two largest manufacturing companies in the whole of Georgia.  It was quite the evening and we made a couple of good friends who visited us,  once we returned to Ottawa a year later. It was only 5 years ago that I received their last Christmas Card.  I have to check my Mother's address Directory to find the name and their country Mansions address. 

Memories galore!  Good night.

S

January 30, 2025

That was a busy morning , no wonder you fell asleep!  The fresh sea air and the tree lined Tower beach is of what you dreamed when back in cold Almonte.

We all awoke this morning to 3 or 4 inches of snow and brisk North wind; if any vehicle was on a road it had to drive extremely slowly, it all iced up. 

More of the white stuff all this week; You left just at the right time! 

January 28, 2025

Glad to know that you are able to keep tricycling, even though the horse is rather old. 

Names have always been of interest, maybe because of growing up with a double barrelled one , without a hyphen!   Now I have a last
name that hardly anyone can spell correctly, it's so simple, but.......!

Also I believe I told you the story of "Suzanne" , I'm sure not too many people are named after an Elephant ! I wondered how the Maharaga found that one . Daddy said he did not feel it was correct to ask!!  

The photos remind me of a 1962 Hot summers day on old Jekyll Island; it only had one old building there, but talk of a new hotel to be built which did not please the two elderly people with whom we spoke.Those photos disappeared a long time ago as well as the ones from southern Mexico, Guadalajara and the ancient stone Water bridge crossing the town still in use coming down from a mountain. A Little further south we saw how the poorest Indigenous people lived . It is Bitterly cold with high winds and more snow, 10-12 centimetres for next three days. 

Enjoy your warm weather and good new kinds of food.

All we have now is a Provincial election, February 27,  plus The three front  runners for new P.M. Mark Carney, Cristina Freeland,  Karina Gould. M. Carney has double the Ministers behind him Than Freeland,  March date? time will tell !

January 23, 2025

 

I don't like to remind you that 80 years ago plus 2 weeks I was 12 years old and I fully remember most of the horrific times of the Nazi regime.

I grew up without my Father who at his age of 57, volunteered to fight once more. He was immediately inducted into the RAF and over the first two years of WW2 re-organized the Defence of seven airfields in the South of Great Britain and Wales.

Once the RAF Regiment was formed,  he was the second Offiicer to be re-united with their Khaki uniform! From there onwards he was sent to North East counties North of London. He was then in charge of the defence of 5 large  RAF Airfields, Plus 3 U.S Airfields which formed a Group, then  became known as "The Pathfinders" consisting of "Mosquito Bombers" which dropped the "Flares"  so that the Large "Lancasters" could hopefully bomb their Targets and turn around to Home through Skylights, Flack and German Fighter planes.

In 1940 ha had to start out as a "Pilot Officer then gradually by 1943 he became Squadron Leader, the same equivalent to his "Major" in 1916, Plus his Military Cross for Vimy Ridge in WW1.   He was Cited for the "Victoria Cross" in 1917, but unfortunately the MotorCyclist was blown up. He did not survive nor did all his valuable papers.  My Mother and I did not know anything about The VC Until I was 18, when we all  suddenly met his then elderly General; this was at a Charity event in Mayfair, London.

By now you must have arrived at your destination in South Carolina. May you Both relax and enjoy the warm weather, Sea Air  and  not too much uncomfortable news.

Our freezing cold weather is supposed  to change by the end of next week, but more wet snow to arrive later! The Rideau Canal is still frozen; the skaters are having a Hey Day after three previous years of  nothing!


Stay Warm.

Suzanne

January 22, 2025

So glad to know that you were finally on your way South. Today our weather was bitterly cold with high winds, the sun was in and out of the clouds.

The news tonight stated it had been -20c; no wonder I pulled the hood attached to my excellent warm coat well over my warm thick felt wool hat.
 Once home I noticed I had only been outside for 20 minutes, enough to give me a red nose while walking straight into the wind!  

Hopefully you can now enjoy the driving , once past icy roads in hilly N.Y.  I'm sure your choice of hotels en route will be comfortable with excellent
food, all needed for a good night's sleep.

By the way, it looks as though my sewing machine can be fixed within a week, if no more complications arise, but at least $200, if any more Mr.Fix-it will advise me beforehand. As soon as he saw the machine he remembered selling it to me, then said "It has to be the best one that PFAFF have ever designed" also you always looked after it.  So time will tell!  In the meantime I am cooking  enough cold weather foods to last awhile, then organize paperwork, Income Tax time is just around the corner!

Keep well and Both enjoy every minute of your relaxing vacation.
         
Suzanne

January 20, 2025

I think am not in the least surprised by your uncomfortable feeling.  Whether Trump will last another four years after carrying out all his present intentions is another story. All I hope is that all those who unnecessarily clapped him today, will find ways not to allow him to pursue all  his scary, ridiculous, abominable ideas. 

Wish me luck for tomorrow , Eric Klaus is taking me and my 40-50lb 12 year old Pfaff sewing machine into Merivale Rd. Ottawa , to find out why it will no longer work.  Suddenly it bent 2 needles. At first I thought it must have caught material, so I cleaned and slightly oiled a section and tried once more, second needle was bent. Something is very wrong. 

Eric and wife Parvin, a delightful younger couple than all the" Oldies" here; Returned to their Condo just down the hall, from a year in your
building, after they were forced to leave here as their dog was too large for the Condo, in spite of the Vet detailing it only had a few months to live. The poor animal died just 3 months after their move.  They used to return here every week to collect their Mail and look after their flowers in the front of this building.

I shall view a few minutes of the CBC 10pm news, then off to bed.

Keep warm and stay cheerful.

😄 Suzanne

January 18, 2025 v3

M. S. Hershey probably had an Irish background, he never wanted to "Give up" coming from a town named Derry!   I can understand needing a "Cherry Blossom"!

First time I heard of such a sweet Candy. Hershey chocolate I did not like when I was given some upon arriving in Canada, staying in Renfrew!

The old Hotel looks great, an age completely disappeared worldwide.

Time to cook more fresh Eggs.  An early morning to-morrow, hopefully the roads back to Clayton will be OK. 

Stay warm!

January 18, 2025 v2

Thanks Bill. Very uninteresting, all 1800's, the New National looks as though it might have a foot pedal, one of the first.

Post Scriptum:

Sorry, Just reread about the 1800's machines. I certainly did not mean "Uninteresting". That was just my bad typing.

I shall preserve the photos until I can find a way to forward them  to our "Quilting ladies" in the Church Hall.

Suzanne


January 18, 2025

That is the most ancient machine I have seen, I wonder where that originated? I have my Mother's 1936 electric Singer machine with all special separate "add ons" sitting in my tiny hallway, but.....in the recent move, the screws that hold it into the wooden cabinet (that Daddy made), split the wood,  a friend has offered to repair it (sometime!). All the machine needs is the Box to change the Volts from English 240, to Canadian 200 volts, another item that appears to have been lost in the move. The "add ons" are now inside the modern machines.

Last night I found the Warranty Card (10 years) for my Professional Pfaff, bought on January 28, 2012. The first Items I made were 8 cushions for my Teak Sofa and armchair; the latter which I am looking at right now!

The original cost of the materials and purchase of the Pfaff was 1/3rd of the cost that two Upholsterers would have charged me! (Plus I now remember they refused to "Pipe" the edges of the cushions, saying "Material too thick"!). 

Just another (big) frustration.    

Stay warm, the winds and snow will be cold. You will soon be in South Carolina!


January 17, 2025

very thought provoking message.  I too often reach back in time wondering, was it  the right move or effort, could I have changed certain sections of those memories.

Probably, but in those eras life and expectations were totally different to whatever we can now surmise in these worrying times. 

My immediate problem is my Large Pfaff sewing machine will not work.  There is a store in Arnprior that repairs that brand, but firstly I can not lift it; only once in about 2008 that I moved it entirely on my own, the result was "Never Again" !  I have to wait for one of our Clayton friends for help.

Another late night!

January 16, 2024 v2


Quite a morning ride, I noted the same feeling a couple of hours ago of thankfully getting back into my car; I managed to park next to Bank of M, 
crossed Mills St., up the steps to the Post Office, where I mailed My Christmas presents, at  absurd cost, to Ian and grandson Alex.  Just 2 photos, quite realistic, of lonely Old Grandma, taken a few months back, to be used in a directory book in St George's Church.  Afterwards then a walk uphill to a store in which they sell needles for my 2 sewing machines, then naturally back down hill again. The wet snow was beginning to freeze! 

Once home there was a phone call from Ashley, the new owner of "1175"  to say she was 2 minutes away with 16 fresh organic eggs for me., Please Open the large front door so I can deposit them and rush home again, it's starting to heavily snow.  Delicious 2 egg omelet with fresh herbs is 
gratefully on my menu tonight!

Just in time to hear CBC discussing who may become the next Prime Minister, once they can afford the $350,000! 

I'm hungry just dreaming of the Eggs!

January 16, 2024


Thanks for the advice. BUT Neither John, Marvin, Eric, Gary, a combination of 4 at the same time, or Patterson Electric can figure out this problem. 

Pattierson's spent 3 hours trying to install a new "simple" thermostat, then had re-install the old one which took another hour.  John told me it is the only one like that in the whole building! At 7pm it turns itself down to 18 C, By 8pm I turn it to 23 or 24, depending on weather, by even  a late night it goes back to 18. 

"If" I wake between 4 & 5am I turn it up to 23, Sunday's I leave the apartment @ 7:15am to drive to Clayton to open the Church and prepare for a 9am service.  During the days it depends on how many times the vehicle subterranean garage door is opened, the floors can become extremely cold in spite of thick under pad and thick old wool carpet. The previous, only 2 owners, went South for the whole winter!

I have plenty of warm wool winter clothes but....even my small "sewing room"  at times can be cool, not the ideal situation to have cold hands while trying to thread a needle or touch the cool machines!

Enjoy the warm weather "down South". Take care driving, especially with Canadian licence plates in "Trump Land".

A Happy and healthy vacation to you Both.

Suzanne

January 15, 2024


You had an excellent visit with your Family prior to your well organized visit to Hilton Head Island.  Hopefully the weather will be 
warmer than in this eastern part of Ontario.  Cold days ahead!

I shall spend most of  this cold few weeks by sewing and trying to keep warm in this rather cold apartment.

Marvin and Joy Sheets will shortly be leaving to visit Family in Perth, Australia where a Grandson is to be married; at least they will have hot weather!

Having watched the latest news, hopefully it may survive as "Good News", but these days anything can happen.   

Good night.

Post Scriptum:

January 16, 2025

Two beautiful winter photos, the first one could have been from our Deck Looking towards the General Store in Clayton!

January 14, 2025


I had a good laugh over the Posh Tea!  I am still happily drinking Twinings Earl Grey Tea (from a tin of loose tea). My Father began extending the original tea plantation when he arrived in Ceylon in 1901, in order for his Uncle (and God-Father) to import larger crates to London to his wholesale tea company. Twinings bought out his company when he was 60. Great - Uncle Sydney turned 90 while I was in my last month at Boarding school at age 16. All Family members were invited to Tea at a large, well known Tea restaurant in Park Lane, London. I was allowed to leave school for 24 hours, just before taking my Cambridge School Certificate exam! 

I finally met Daddy's youngest sister, one of my God-Mothers, who had left England when I was 3, Taking her 9 children to New Zealand after their Father died. She could not afford to pay for the last 7 children's education in England. 

After the  end of W.W.1, Daddy returned to Tea Planting, this time in India, in the hills "around "Ootycomand".  At that time he opened a new plantation requiring many men and Elephants for the "Heavy Work" before actually planting the tea bushes. He had already met the local Marharaja, who as a teenager went to school in England, then to Cambridge University, where I believe they first met in a house belonging to a friend of Daddy.

Said Maharaja owned a number of working elephants. The first one that Daddy rented became unmanageable to  the workmen, so naturally Daddy reported the problem to his friend, who immediately said "I have an excellent female which you are welcome to try her out".  After an excellent lunch, they went to view the new animal which looked promising, upon leaving  and shaking Daddy"s hand, Marharaja  said, "Oh by the way her name is Suzanne."

Later Daddy thought, "If I ever have a daughter, that will be her name!"

Note: Featured image from Country Life.

January 12, 2025


Thank-you for sending Jean Chrétien's message.  He still has enough guts to portray such a decisive message to all Canadians. 

Both he and Mulroney were outstanding Prime Ministers no matter what their ilk.  Do we have another person waiting in the background to follow in their footsteps; whoever it may be, let us hope they will take up Mr. Chrétien's amazing offer.  In his case age makes no difference.

I love the way he addressed Trump,"From one old guy to another." Total opposites in personality etc.  As Fiona St. Clair mentions, Trump is a "Bully", I also add "of the worst imaginable kind."

Now I have to find a way to forward this message to my friends.

Good night.

Suzanne

January 10, 2024

 

Thank you for reminding me about the routes that I used to take in Ottawa!

You had a great breakfast prepared by your kind Denis.  Eggs and cheese are often my lunch, especially now that I have been given a box of 16 eggs, all "Home Grown".

Ashley and 3 month old baby Daniel were here a couple of days ago, waiting for her car to be repaired. The eggs are from their own chickens who now reside in a large chicken coup and fenced in run, at the side of Our old Clayton house. The eggs are huge, and come in different colours; brown, cream,green and pinkish. The birds are fed with table scraps and organic chicken feed, the yolks are a deep rich red, hence the flavour is amazing.

Our previous egg man, friend David Moat, also had special birds and feed, but these ones exceed them all.   nce Spring arrives I shall be able to buy eggs from Stan and Ashley. 

Tomorrow is another "busy Day". 11am Having my hair cut by St.G's friend who lives past Hiway 29 and just off the Clayton Rd. Then "Sharlene" comes here in the afternoon to help remake my bed, the mattress is too heavy for me to tuck in the sheets and blankets, plus At 5ft 10", she can put away Christmas boxes on high shelves etc.

I no longer climb on my Father"s 5 step wooden, step ladder which now has to be. about 94 years old, Sharlene still uses it to clean the inside tops of the windows.

After she leaves I need to purchase 3 items in the local grocery store!

Once home I shall be gasping for a cup of Earl Grey Tea, which still originates from Daddy's tea plantation in Old Ceylon.

Sleep well once more.

Suzanne

January 9, 2025

A good night's sleep is the best achievement for which we can all hope.  Your Father certainly had a good long life, that fact should help you, even though you cannot walk as far.    


Bruce Farm, was that, the now old, Experimental Farm ?  While living in Parkwood Hills I was a neighbour of "Dr Oats’s  daughter - another name to search ! However I do remember the Civic Hospital tried to buy that land from the Federal Government Office. During those month's "Dr Oats" was allowed to remove portions of the Experiment Farm to land further S.W. of the City, where many of the experimental "Oats" were first grown. I still have a copy of the Ottawa Citizen's publication of "Dr Oats" final retirement somewhere in one of my boxes Noted "Treasures"!  

Maybe I need more good night's sleep to remember so many names , some of which I remember a few hours later, but others appear to be forever lost!

Another sunny, cold, windy winter day.
 
Keep warm,
Suzanne

January 8, 2025


Why do some of  "Them " have to leave us at Christmas, two good friends of many years departed this life during five days of Christmas; another 80 year old is in Palliative care at The Heart Institute, giving his wife and two sons with families unknown worry and trying to work at the same time.
All extremely good friends at St. George's, we are all trying to help his wife, the Chief Warden, in any possible way. It appears to be a question of Time.

Editor's NoteAs dismal, gloomy and mournful as the subject may be, until that terrifying moment nothing will stop it or us.  So we may as well get on board for the ride!

January 7, 2025


Good thinking Bill.  I feel sure by the time you reach your mid eighties the full EV's will be just perfect for almost every one to drive.

No more smelly petroleum and noise, just the sound of "Honking Horns"!!

January 5, 2025


On Sat, Jan 4, 2025 at 9:30 PM L. G. William Chapman BA LLB <lgwilliamchapman@gmail.com> wrote:
Just to be clear: A Power of Attorney is effective only while you are alive.  Upon your death, it is the Executor of your last Will and Testament who acts in your stead.

 

Thanks Bill,

After sending the email I realized my mistake, I know I have to be organised well beforehand. Too late and tired in a busy day!

Another long morning, my alarm clock woke me @ 5:30 instead of 6:30!!  I'll be in Clayton by 7:45 am.

Enjoy your breakfast.

Suzanne

January 4, 2025


Once more, an extremely interesting subject matter. Today, especially for some reason, I was almost daydreaming on the same subject!

Tony held my Power of Attorney for Medical issues and vice versa. Ian, either or Graham for financial reasons.

Nowadays Ian could possibly be in Northern Europe, Norway, Sweden (even Iceland) at the time of my departure from this world.

Graham could be anywhere in USA and of course on Vancouver Island, slightly the same as step-Granddaughter Dr. Sarah Cannell, an Emergency Specialist.

A conundrum that should be rectified, that lately has been slightly worrisome! 

A very nice clear photo of your desk and Oak chair,  I need drawers like yours, which I miss from Our Old Kitchen, but I make do with one of Tony's business leather cases!

More paperwork and sewing to finish.

An early Sunday departure at 7:15 am to Clayton and open the Church etc.

Suzanne

January 2, 2025


Best of luck, a very different way of driving, very smooth, quiet and comfortable. Son Graham rented an electric Suv when here last summer to try it out. 

Until 9 years ago while living in Calgary, for the previous 7 years  he was a fireman at SpringBank airport between Calgary and Banff.

He became the best driver of the fire trucks. He told me he liked the Suv, but soon realized that no person can hear you on the road or when they step off a sidewalk without looking in both directions.

That vehicle was able to run for 500 Kms without recharging; in the ten days he was here he did not need to recharge!  He drove into Ottawa many times and also took me to Clayton several times. 

Almonte was one of the first small towns to have an electric charging point, at the engineer plant opposite the old Flour Mill.

Another piece of interest; where I park my car underground in #1 space right against the far end stone wall, the previous owner had an electric car; his charging unit cost him over $10,000 to have it installed, it is still there but not active.

You are welcome to see it, but I'm sure you could drive in if I ask John Dawson. 

Son Ian has had a "half and half " car for a few years which he much prefers, light on gas and not having to worry "where is the next charging unit."

Once more, good night.

Suzanne

January 1, 2024


It certainly is a winter's storm, so I tried not to look outside. Your poem was appreciated on such a dreary day.

However, Wednesday's usual Morning Coffee hour was a cheery time,  with much laughter and forgetting about dire world situations.

Later I started the washing machine and dryer, then the usual clearing up and making a pot of Tea; I sat in my armchair, drank a sip of tea and promptly fell asleep!

No wonder, I had a pleasant New Year’s Eve with nextdoor neighbours, finally crawling into bed about 1am. It was the first time in many years for that to happen. 

Stay warm at your comfortable desk and enjoy your partner's excellent cooking. 

A Happy and healthy New Year. 

Suzanne