May 20, 2025
Good memories for you, despite the fact that you could not join them. I remember the feeling of wishing we could turn back time and renew old great friendships; maybe in our next world.
May 18. 2025 v3
Two lawyers, my goodness, I shall have to make sure I do not argue with the police if they stop me when driving my car!!
Thank you so much for the framed picture, AI can be excellent but sometimes no better than the original. It is now sitting at the back of the kitchen counter next to a photo of my 18 ½ year old Grandson Alex, which I can see whilst sitting in my armchair.
I am beginning to freeze again. The door to the underground parking has opened quite a few times which makes the floors very cold. It is only 10.5℃ in here now. Thankfully my old red wool carpet has a very thick under pad.
The sweet potato soup with added chicken stock, herbs (that I grew on the balcony) and when cooked in the "Instant pot" I added pre-cooked Asparagus and chopped up cold chicken. It turned into a good hot meal, enough for tomorrow.
9pm and suddenly the heat has come on, hooray! Maybe complaints and/or John and Warren were also cold! Now I should not need the heated blanket or having to fill a hot water bottle to keep my feet warm when in bed.
After an early morning drive into a warm church, collected 4 dozen organic eggs, from Ashley in my Old Home to provide to two friends and myself, I shall soon dive into a comfortable bed.
Good night to you Both, Suzanne.
May 18, 2025 v2
Thanks Bill, that was just the good laughter that I needed on this dreary day.
My dear old Daddy also enjoyed P.G Wood House (sic). The picture of Jeeves and His Lordship could not have appeared at a better time. When you read my morning's email, you will understand the reason why! Lord John had the perfect "Old Family" butler to look after him. I had not remembered anything of that old friend for almost a whole lifetime.
May 18, 2025
Quite a diatribe; but it is always interesting to find how other people thought, speak and live in different vernacular from each other.
From my late teens and early 20's, I worked with so many people in the fabric trade; one quickly learned to ignore the few truly obnoxious individuals, but made very good friends with different other individuals.
The son of an acquaintance of my Parents, occasionally took me to a theatre as he disliked going alone. We enjoyed each other's company, had many similar interests and much laughter. He lived in Mayfair, London, Lord John .............(a very old family name, which now escapes me !). However, many years later when I took Ian , aged 14 months, to stay in Melplash, Dorset, while Mummy was in hospital, Daddy, in his early 80's, one evening told me that John had committed suicide not too long after I came to Canada. Such a waste of a highly intelligent decent person.
Bill, That is a great photo of you at your desk, I just wish I had a printer, no space also I would forget how to use one in this ripe old age! May I ask if the framed picture is your Father? A nice compliment to him.
Keep warm in this dreary weather; our heat was turned off last week. So time to move around once more.
Suzanne
May 17, 2025
Beautiful photos. The last one is an amazing sky, also it looks like the back of Orchard View's Town houses?
No wonder you enjoy your apartment with the ever changing scenery.
A couple of days ago I watched 2 baby, small Mourning Doves fly out of their nest in a tall tree next to the entrance of the underground parking garage; they landed in a pine tree outside my drawing room window, stayed there for about half an hour, totally worn out! Now they walk and fly around the building every day, growing and eating whatever they can find; strangely none of us have seen the parents.
May 16, 2025 v2
Thank you Bill, I was able to open the photo of which should be my Rosebush in a few weeks time.
This morning I only bought two small Blue/purple plants which I put into the soil either side of said Rosebush.
Having finished that particular piece of the back garden I suddenly realized, I hope it does not look Red, White and Blue.
For a change I shall be sewing tomorrow, especially as we are forecast for thunderstorms and rain, then cooler weather for at least 10 more days. The balcony plants will survive, less watering for me to do! Hopefully the humidity will disappear.
Good night, S
May 16, 2025
Once a gardener always a gardener!!
Warren kindly took the garden fork out of my hand, and said "I'll turn the soil for you , it's pretty tough right there, too many thick roots." He filled a large pot with a lot of thick dead roots etc; I was grateful he came past when he did, so all I had to finish was with my small rake. Then I planted a dozen white tiny plants in front of Tony's Red Rose bush, with light perfume, a Rosa Floribunda, "Our Anniversary". It survived the winter and now has many
healthy growing leaves. Roll on Summer!
May 15, 2025
A relief for you to have your small vehicle now well working, hopefully it will stay in good shape, thanks to Roger.
A typical Spring garden making a delightful photo.
All the trees at the back of this building are now in flower, due to this afternoon's sun, also many daffodils and tulips.
A few days ago I bought a large potted plant in a bluish purple colour now on my balcony; at our Wednesday coffee hour I had many compliments on brightening the drive into the underground parking space, they are all looking forward to the whole area full of different plants. A lot of watering in hot weather etc: but I still miss my large perennial garden which I started from mere sand and gravel.
I shall visit there in a few days to help sort out the difference between overgrown weeds and plants!!
May 14, 2025
I only just read your interesting comments, I'm sure I have not heard that expression the Hoi Polloi since my Father explained the meaning and noted "to which all our Family belong".
I also have long moments of remembering very small items that happened or were given to me: especially yesterday; I spent far too long looking for a small kitchen item, that I know I used infrequently, but was the only thing to finish a particular piece of cooking. No luck at all, gone by
the wayside in my last move; the same as the missing 3 beaters for my large mixing machine, which I used to make all our bread for almost 25 years.
I had to chuckle over your last sentence, "becoming frivolous by accident"!!
It appears that we voted for the correct person ,PM Carney; he is certainly not dithering around, but making sure everyone in his new Cabinet will continue to trust his advice and plans in the quickest imaginable time. Even "Mr Trump" respected Canada's new Prime Minister!
Gardening tomorrow, a few small plants around Our rosebush and potted plants for the balcony.
Early to bed! Enjoy the warm sun, a few days of rain and more cold weather.
May 12, 2025
Today I found out that the second Saturday in June will be the last breakfast in "Gace Hall"" until September.
Your AI print of St. Gorge and Clayton, now hangs on a wall in full sight as you walk into the room. Lynne Bamford ,Warden, and myself decided exactly where the best place for it to be seen. Maybe you will mark the date on your calendar for another Breakfast.
Enjoy these next few days of Spring as the forecast is cooler weather and rain.
Tomorrow morning 9:30 am on CBC news , P.M. Carney is to announce his new Cabinet.
May 10, 2025
I'm sure Wayne Guthrie was surprised to see you; did you know his lovely wife Lyn died about five years ago. He still lives in his same house, one of his sons also lived with him for a while when he was alone, then I believe it was last year that he quietly told me "Thankfully I can do exactly what I like in my own home as my son has somewhere else to live! I have bought some new furniture, the Family are welcome anytime and life continues quite well.”
He reads the Lessons about every month, usually one week before I do the same. He is always cheerful and enjoys his after Service coffee and chatter amongst friends in Grace Hall.
Kathy Lowe, our dear friend, was working in the kitchen and phoned me to say there were 40 people this morning, including Mayor Crista Lowry and two sisters, one of whom brought the homemade Beans.
Did you know that after expenses, all the proceeds go to the Almonte schools and Youth Centre for children's breakfasts and lunches.
In the morning as usual I shall open St.G’s @ 8am, to prepare for Communion as well as a Baptism, plus the Family, plus all people from our other 3 churches, maybe an almost full Church!
Last Monday afternoon we did not have our usual Quilting time in Grace Hell, not enough of us to open up. A great pity as I have your AI print of St. George and the Dragon in a new frame and we were to hang it on one of the walls. So at some time later you must come for breakfast , I'm not sure if will be in June, if not definitely September.
Bedtime, I leave here @ 7.15 am, good night, Suzanne
May 8, 2025
He had always owned and ridden horses all his life, in Ceylon, India, England and at the beginning of WW1, when he joined "The Cavalry;" after 6 months he quickly changed to the Royal Artillery.
Memories, memories!
May 6, 2025 v2
Thank you Bill
Suzanne
May 6, 2025
Once more well said. In another week we may even feel Summer is almost here, The trees are sporting buds on their branches, Daffodils are lovely, and the weather is finally warmer.
Politically, we have a new Government, which hopefully will survive in Canada's best interests, despite U S A's friendship's departure. Even Canada's ailing King will arrive to open our new Government, to show the World that Canada is a Sovereign Country.
Today, I am completely over my dreadful chill and cold. Ian in N.S, has recovered from 3 weeks of a cold and bronchitis. Graham, on Vancouver Island is slowly recovering from 5 days of "Flu". He could not keep his vital heart pills inside him for over 3 days; wife Ana and step cousin Dr. Sarah, Emergency Specialist, were extremely worried about his situation. On Graham's 3rd day, he phoned me in tears, "Mum, I have to tell you....." He knew it was very dangerous for him and wanted to hear me say "I'm sure you will eventually recover." All Three of us, ill at the same time!
Now, dear friend, I am sure you will understand how I really need Summer to arrive!
May 5, 2025
My first visit to Cape Breton in 1958, driving our old 1950's Pontiac was a sight to behold! However we did drive off the Main Road, then became lost on a beautiful dirt road ending on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean. As the passenger, I was told to walk down to a few "old men" who were a few yards ahead, to ask the way back to the main road. A middle aged man, with red hair and beard, welcomed me, and gave me directions, then politely asked "Why was a young English lady in the middle of 'Nowhere' in N.S.?" He walked back with me to our car and met my husband, giving us his name "Farley", chatted with us for quite a time, wished us the Best of Luck on our journey back to Ottawa. It was a few months later at a friend's cocktail party, that we were told it was Farley Mowat, the author and ex-soldier. I still have two of his books, "And no Birds Sang" plus ....... !
I hope you eventually drive through N.S. again, every part of the Province is beautiful, all in so many different ways. Son, Dr. Ian Jonsen (world renowned, Biologist) is now living in Wolfville where he and Wife, Nicole met at Acadia U, married in the Chapel. My Grandson, Alexander Jonsen-Humble, has just finished his first year @ Acadia, applied to Dalhousie U, for next 3 years, is now Coaching 14 - 18 year old swimmers in Dartmouth for the Summer. Staying with his other Grandmother, Carolyn Humble. and living in what has now become the old Family home.
May 3, 2025
Before I forget, a couple of days ago I was driving home on Perth St. when I suddenly saw someone on a red Tricycle moving in the opposite direction, but the person's legs were not moving; however the car behind me honked a couple of times, by the road's new sign I was at 39 kms and already had just flashed my left turn indicator, so that was the end of my vision of the tricycle!
Yesterday after much measurement taking in my bedroom, I was sure it was time to re-arrange some furniture. My two weekly helper "Sharleen" was due to arrive in the afternoon, once she walked into my "front hall" she exclaimed "What on earth have you been doing?!" The dining table, chairs and floor were piled high with all kinds of "STUFF". Once I told her, that my intention was to turn around my bed and she understood the main reason, her reply was "let's get started". One and a half hours later we decided "Mission accomplished"! Having moved 4 pieces of furniture, rugs and Bed, everything fitted perfectly. Today, after an excellent night's sleep, I have replaced almost all items in natural places.
Tomorrow morning back to Clayton by 8:15 for the "morning" service @ 9am, then to our "1175" house to collect 4 dozen fresh organic eggs to divide between neighbours and myself, after a cup of tea and playing with the now 4 children.
At wednesday morning Coffee hour one of the new inhabitants said "The Jonsen Family must have some kind of E.S.P to all have Colds, Flu and Bronchitis at the same time over the whole of the last two weeks, while living at each end of Canada and "Mother " in the middle!! A lot of laughter, then someone chimed in "But that is Suzanne's complete Family." I felt a little uncomfortable so I explained that There are many kind and helpful people here in this building and at times we all try to help each other. certainly last week. Sheila Robertson, next door, brought me Hot homemade chicken soup, then 2 days later Turkey soup. I know I could not have recovered so quickly without her help.
A warmer week ahead, keep well and active!
Suzanne
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