May 5, 2025

I remember tying a few of those complicated knots as Senior girl guide at boarding school. My Father also taught me how to tie a reef knot, but most importantly how to tie my shoelaces so that they would never fall undone;  he also did the same for Ian, then aged four, when he, Grandfather and Granny came to Canada for their last visit together.

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.