February 28, 2025

I did not realize that "rings" went back for thousand of years. My Father lost his signet ring while swimming in the Indian Ocean, also his Gold Rolex watch in the 1920's.

He told me that he was so hot that he just jumped into the water without  a thought of removing either of them.

"Charly Boy", Now King III always wears his, except when digging in the earth at "Highgrove" Buckinghamshire!

February 23, 2025

Another beautiful picture with an AI story.

Yesterday I took your picture "St.George and the Dragon" to our long Vestry meeting. Everyone was fascinated with it all including Arch: Brian Kauk.  I managed to find a frame that had once been relegated to the Dorset dustbin, but managed to arrive in Canada alongside my antique furniture!  The gold paint now looks a bit worse for wear. However I have been askedvto return it when I can find an appropriate frame and explanation, it will then be hung in Grace Hall.  

Another 4" of snow last night, the roads were not good when I left @ 7:30 am to open up St.G's for our 9 am service. 

This afternoon it is above freezing for the first time in weeks.

Rideau Canal has been packed with skaters and extra new food kiosks etc: One day with extra cold North winds, the ice could not be 'skinned flat" but there still were many hardy, frozen skaters!

Keep up with your exercising, a blessing to still feel fairly independent. 

Suzanne

February 22, 2025

A perfect day for you with interesting photos.

February 21, 2025

You sound a little weary, or may I dare say slightly bored.

Today the snow is sparkling in the sunshine but the wind is very cold. 

Tomorrow at St.G's we have our yearly Vestry meeting,  headed by the Archdeacon from Carleton Place then pot- luck lunch later.  Arch: Brian Kauk and I always have a few pleasant chats and laughter due to my unfortunate episode of cutting the skin on my leg because of the upturned kneeling pads in his C.P Church, St. James. At the time it caused quite a commotion during the service, also 8 stitches and 3 months to heal.  A month later Brian did exactly the same thing a  few days before driving to Manitoba to visit his Mother and family.

Then tomorrow back to Clayton again for our 9am service, leaving here at 7:30 with many washed and ironed Altar cloths, and changing the colours etc: At least the weather will be O.K. and slightly warmer; the previous Sunday was the massive snow storm. Ottawa has still not been able to move much of it all, cars are still not able to park anywhere and many roads not ploughed.

Did you hear about the Hockey game in Boston between U.S.A and Canada?  Canada won in overtime  3 - 2.  Of course there is much delight here, also Trump has to take back some of his obnoxious remarks before the game, doubtful that will happen! 

Now I have to find a frame for your AI print, the picture of the gold frame looked gorgeous but I shall find something to take in the morning. 

Enjoy your pleasant situation especially the warm weather.   

Suzanne       

February 18, 2025

Extremely interesting and very well explained. I shall ask Gary Nicholson (RCMP) to print this article.

Yesterday Gary printed the Heraldic Shield re: AI, which I shall Frame and take to our "Vestry Meeting" on Saturday.

February 17, 2025 v2

Very cool!

Thank you Bill, that is amazing. The husband of one of my lady friends upstairs, Gary & Joyce Nicholson, will be able to print it for me and St.G's.

As soon as I saw the printing on the shield I knew I had to jump up and check one of my Father's Family Motto, I knew The "Semper" was identical, then I had to check the spelling  before I wrote it to you.  SEMPER  PARATUS,  This dates back to 1700's including the BELL family.

Yes , Alexander Graham Bell was my Grandfather's first cousin. It was only as a late teenager in Canada that Alexander decided to add a second name: Graham goes back several centuries in the Panton Wells family.   Why our two surnames became "UnHyphenated" or when we do not know.  There was a General Panton in 1820 -1850 who owned almost the whole large area of SOHO in the Westend  of London but...he lost all, except 1 acre surrounding his house, in one night due to gambling.  However there is still a Panton street, off Shaftesbury Ave where My Grandfather used to take my Daddy, Ronald , his eldest son,  for lunch at a well known restaurant during school holidays.

It was still there when my parents had lunch the day before flying to Ottawa to visit us when he came for his 88th Birthday, also again for His 90th.

Daddy was born July 10, 1883. The last time they came, Ian was 5 and he remembers going for walks with Grandpa and had to run to keep up with him!  Daddy died suddenly when he was 92, we were living in Calgary and Graham was 6 weeks old.

Last week you sent interesting notes and paragraphs re: AI.  How that can work for monetary advice etc: is another "Kettle of Fish"!

We have at least 6 inches of snow today, high NE winds blowing most of the day. Last night all 4 churches were sent emails to close today. Driving was too dangerous, also too cold to heat the buildings! 

Just saw Ian Hanomansing on CBC news, Germany is having elections, thousands of people trying to ban "The Far Right" who are trying to repeat Nazism.  He Interviewed the head of Canada's Cisis, who said  the internet is now in a terrifying state, not only in our country but

all around the world, what will happen or how to solve the problems, or who is maintaining them is a crisis right now. 

Not the best news to go to bed and try to sleep.  Good night!!

February 17, 2025

A beautiful afternoon, I am sure you finally returned a happy and tired person, with the expectation later of a really good cooked meal to enjoy with your partner Denis.

February 15, 2025 v2

Chicken Almond Ding

Paula certainly looks as though she has a loving character, also that she enjoys her own cooking.

Yes it is pleasant to eat out at times.

Last evening Paul Adams collected me and we drove to C.P. for an excellent  Chinese meal, accompanied by Our dear friends  Ray and Kathy Lowe who brought Lynne Bamford, our Head Warden who has just lost her husband of 58 years,  .We had his Funeral in St.G's last Saturday plus a lunch in Grace Hall, 112 Family and friends, to which we all sadly catered.

It was a great evening, a lot of laughter and banter re : upcoming elections and how we can survive with whatever Trump finally decides to inflict on Canada and also on many other Nations.

Upon leaving, the previous owner of 'House of Fong" little Mae suddenly appeared from the kitchen; she told us she knew the day would be extremely busy and they would need many more hands to keep up with all the orders.

So we all briefly chatted with her, then she asked me " Where Tony?" looking around trying to find him, of course I had to tell her the sad news,  with tears in her eyes she said "Such a fine England Gentleman".

Mae can always remember what we all preferred to eat, sometimes it was months between all our next visit. Finally she told us ,"I No like living in Ottawa, now my Mother die, I coming back to C.P. and keep busy". 

Once the days are longer and warmer I know where I shall eat for a change, when I am fed up with my own cooking!  

February 15, 2025

Another lovely photo of the Sea Pines. Looking at it makes me want to smell the salt air and come alive once more!

We had another large snow storm during the week when everyone and all vehicles were advised to stay off the roads.

Today, Saturday, more snow during the morning and to continue for the next 48 hours. The forecast is for it to be the worst storm for approximately over 30 years.  Our 4 churches, Mississippi Lake Anglican etc; will be closed. 

Yesterday I delivered 2 dozen eggs to David, who is now living in a rented house beyond Tim Hortons. I had a difficult time trying to park there, the snow was piled 4ft high on all the side roads, plus he had to quit shovelling due to a bad cold and he has had two heart attacks in the last few years.  Heather told me their large snow blower was sold with the house. 

From David's house I drove to the grocery store just to buy one tin of "Twinings English Breakfast Tea" which I found in about two minutes, but... I had to line up for half an hour to pay for it, even @ the self help counter!

I must have found the very last parking space, only as I have a wheel-chair certificate, before I went into the store; coming out of the "packed to the rafters" place, trying to drive out was unbelievable! Both sides of the laneway in front of the store were filled with vehicles trying to move in each direction.  Jonsson's must have run out of food by closing time!! 

All Flag selling stores are running out of Our Red Maple Leaf  flags, even in Almonte I could see flags flying outside of houses and inside shops. Trump's antics are bringing Canadians closer together. The Provinces are working hard to allow large trucks to sail through each border without restrictions all across Canada. It's about time to become one enormous country. Even PQ is friendlier! Many Canadians are selling their properties in South U.S.A, never to return.

Enjoy your warm weather and all your exercise.

Stay safe, good night.

Suzanne

February 8, 2025

Once more, well said. I wish I could be near salt water in warm weather; instead I occasionally walk through snow and cold winds, may it only be for short times, the fresh air certainly makes one sleep well in a warm bed!

February 6, 2025 v2

An excellent read. This should be published in Canada as well as the USA.  In the vernacular "You have hit the point".

I now have to try out my new sewing machine at home which I bought yesterday at a reasonable price; Thanks to Erick Klaus, who lives opposite me with his wife Parvin, a delightful "young" couple; who has driven me into Ottawa a couple of times and is pleased to do so whenever needed. 

Heavy snow once more, will Spring ever be "around the corner"!

An amusing photo, rest is always the answer.

February 6, 2025

I do not think that is a morning you will try again! Take care and rest whenever is suitable.

Now I am waiting to hear from Tony's son Todd, an investment advisor with CIBC, that all of mine are up to Par. 

At least the snow finished last night and by this afternoon the roads were dry.  I went into Carleton Place  to purchase all my so called dried food @ Bulk Barn for the coming month, which eventually turns into my extremely healthy breakfasts. One performance completed!

Now I have to store each item in large glass jars, but not before having a hot cup of tea and two gluten free ginger cookies!

Within the next two days I shall be driven into Ottawa  to inspect, try out and hopefully purchase a new smaller sewing machine. It seems to be the best answer, than having my old large, machine repaired at great cost, plus waiting no end of time for the parts to arrive. 

Now all the news is about the Provincial Election on Feb 27. I forget, when do you return home?

Hopefully the border crossing will be OK, unlike the previous fiasco.

February 3, 2025

Yesterday after our 9am church we had a brief meeting in Grace Hall, Then at 4 Pm almost all of St. G's were at St. James for the Commissioning of David Moat as a special Lay Reader for all 4 churches. Afterwards there was a tea with cake and the offering of St.G's gifts of appreciation.

He told me he just could not believe what we had organized for him.  Then later 9 of us departed to the "House of Fong" for an excellent Chinese meal, mainly for my upcoming Birthday which David and Heather also thoroughly enjoyed. It was great to all be together after a long Day.

On Friday 7th, I will help set up Grace Hall for a lunch of 60 people after Tom Bamford's Funeral service @ St. G's on Saturday morning. There will be Communion during the service, so that means a lot of set-up for me, also checking that the church is still extremely clean. Occasionally we know that the "Bat" has visited us, hopefully during this cold weather it is still asleep somewhere inside the roof!

Tom is the husband of Lynne who is Our Minister's Warden and Both Dear friends of us all; we are just one large Family of 28 people. 

Thank you for the photo of the beautiful fine Altar cloth, where did you find that one? I  am fortunate that ours is only fine linen with hand stitched crosses in each corner and one large in the centre.   Now I have to roll it up between a hem stitched fine white cotton sheet that my Mother used.  Some of the old materials come into use at unexpected times!

Tomorrow Sharlene will be here to help take my Christmas Tree off the Balcony and take it downstairs to the storage unit and box it, ready for next year presuming I am still here!

Another item: phone Sewing Machine Hospital, on Merivale Rd , to find out if they can purchase a small part (hopefully not from USA) if the answer is NO, then I shall purchase the smaller machine if it is suitable.

So Trump has reversed his Tarrifs for 30 days, now he is on his way to Europe, trying to affect the same situation there. We all feel it is still almost the same with Trump, he just wants" Power", no matter  how, So we still will only "BUY Canadian".

Enjoy the warm weather while you can.

Good night. 

February 2, 2025

Hello, Suzanne!

I realize your upcoming birthday (February 7, 1933) is not until later in the week; however knowing the commotion and distractions likely to surround the happy event, I wanted to take the opportunity at this more convenient time to wish you many happy returns of the day.  In my opinion - one I have no doubt is shared by many others - you are a remarkable woman of incredible talent and energy. I want to thank-you as well for the kindness and generosity you have so willingly shared with me.

Cheers!

Bill