Visitor

This guy (above) came flying directly toward the window I face when I am at my computer, which is where I was when it flew, seemingly on a crash course for my window, yesterday afternoon. I was so glad to be here when he did it. At the last second, he veered up. I’ll bet there was a small bird in the Virginia Creeper growing on the wall.

I went outside to see if I could see it in the yard. I searched but couldn’t see it. Then, again while I was at the computer, he flew onto my fence, and that’s when I grabbed my camera and took the photo. It stayed for quite a while and then flew off, and when it flies its large wingspan makes it a magnificent sight—as is watching it turn its head.

Another wonderful thing about yesterday was walking the entire way with our friends and then, in the afternoon, the Elder Cedar trail later in the day. My foot hurts, and I can’t stretch my Achillies tendon, but I can walk in a way that is bearable that doesn’t affect my right hip. The best part: I don’t dread having to walk Her Highness.

I did not work at all yesterday. I read, I napped and I did little domestic chores. It was a wonderful day. There was, however, one disappointment: my speech is suddenly much more difficult. I must work hard to get things out with friends with whom I’m normally fluent. But there’s even good news here. I just don’t care anymore. My capacity changes frequently. I’m used to it.

I had two spas yesterday. I nearly always have one at around 6:00. And it was so lovely late in the afternoon, I had another lovely soak before dinner. Hot weather is coming. I’m soon going to be spending a lot of time with a hose in my hand. I now have two dozen clipped two-litre plastic pop containers. The flat end is cut off, and I screw on a spike that sticks into the ground. I fill the bottle with water, and it slowly drips out to feed individual plants.

I’m going to have a huge harvest of raspberries and apples. I’ll have only a modest crop of blueberries this year, and this season is the first fruiting of the Plum tree, so the crop is tiny. But it’s enough to delight.

Last night poor Ethel had her annual epileptic seizure. It’s exceptionally hard on her. She thrashes about and races into things. She is at the mercy of a devil, but she is fully recovered this morning and I’m spoiling her with love and affection.

It’s a beautiful morning! We’ll walk and I’ll water and this afternoon we’ll go to visit Stacy to look at photos of her new puppy—a Great Dane!

Healing

Tuesday began dark and very wet. It wasn’t raining at all, but there had been a good soaking during the night. I was glad for my garden beds and the forest. We were up at 4:30, and I busied myself with chores. I hadn’t done dishes in days, and cattery needed cleaning, and the recycling had to be sorted and stored for pick up. I was happy that I didn’t need to water the beds. I could read and relax all day.

We walked and it went okay. Every time I go for a walk, I must figure out how to walk so that my right hip doesn’t hurt. The morning walk went pretty well, but I had to stop and rest often. I don’t have to rest for long. A short break and I am good to go again.

When we got home, we had lunch, then I read more of the book I’m loving, and then for over an hour, I prepped for cooking the pork tenderloin I bought. I’m making it in a Thai sauce. I loved the video I saw of cooking the dish. Once the prep was done, Her Highness and I went shopping and then for a walk, and my afternoon walk went very well. 

I was happy, the pain was very, very mild, and my pace was more human and less elderly. I felt very good about the walk, even though it was not a long one, and then we came home and I got busy cooking the tenderloin. It’s a complex recipe and a lot of fragrant ingredients. I enjoyed cooking it very much, and I anticipated a great evening of a movie and the dinner.

By mid-afternoon, the sky had cleared and it became bright and sunny, but it remained rather cool for June. The temperature only rose to 16°, which is wonderfully comfortable. While the pork cooked, I returned to reading until it was dinnertime for the brood.

The tenderloin was delicious, but what a lot of work it was to cook. I have enough for three more dinners, however, so that’s a bonus. I watched a heartbreaking movie called Indignation. It’s a film adaptation of a Phillip Roth story, and I don’t remember being so affected by a film in a long time. I was a mess at its end. Such a powerful story of regret and loss. It broke my heart, but that happens when great stories are very well told.

Today will be mixed weather as was yesterday, but tomorrow the eternal sunshine returns and temperatures by the weekend are predicted to be closer to 30°. Yuck! Too hot by far.

Recovery

Monday began with a walk with our friends. I walked for an hour at a more satisfactory pace. I had pain, but it was bearable, and it was only my foot, not both my foot and my hip. I could walk more naturally yesterday morning. It still hurts, and it’s still swells, but there’s not near as much swelling now.

Then we went shopping. Then we went back to the village because I did not read the recipe fully, and it calls for lemongrass sauce. I’ll just add rind to the recipe. And then we went for our second walk. A woman came by as Her Highness was pooping and I was intently watching her poop. I looked at her for a millisecond and returned to H.H. I felt rude, but I’ve been trying to decide if I need to have another stool sample taken. Based on what I saw today, I feel that we are in the clear for Sheba.

When we got home, it started to rain. It was light but had drops bigger than mist. I’ve become a rain connoisseur. It got satisfyingly wet yesterday through the early evening. I was delighted and celebrated with a fire. Soon we were all in the living room. Fred and Ethel were each on a chair, close to the fire. I was on the chaise, and Sheba was on the floor beside me. We are all keen on heat.

Light rain, a fire, Diet Coke, and Kate Atkinson with a family that loves me (and can’t talk back).

This is what I see through the door jus to my left as I sit at my desk. That’s my Climbing Hydrangea growing on the trellis I had built on the right. Above, the red are rose blossoms. The entire lower tear of the fountain has been eaten by Ivy. I love it because it makes the fountain look old and connected to the earth. And the dark purple leaves of the Japanese Maples, one in the courtyard behind the fountain, and a beauty just at the end of the deck. Fuchsias in the planters.

All of this began as baby plants, but it was all created eight years ago. If I go outside, I feel good. I love what I see. I love my playground. It still thrills me to be l living in a very comfortable home, with guest rooms and a hot tub, on an island, disengaged from the continent and all the craziness that goes on amongst people over there.

And with a huge garden, nice neighbours, stores close by, no parking problems, no parking fees, no traffic lights at all, and infrequent stop signs. Beaches and a trail network to die for in a thousand-acre natural park of untouched forest (except for the trails and some trail signs): this is paradise.

•

We had real rain late yesterday and during the night. My rain barrels are full again. It’s predicted to clear today—it’s overcast with thick clouds this morning—and get quite warm. Endless sunshine is returning and hot temperatures (30°)!

We’ll walk this morning together, and I shall read until the sun returns and then there is plenty of yard work to be done. We must walk early this morning and then I must stay home all the time until my Tezspire arrives because it has to go into the fridge, I must sign for it, and I must return the packaging from last month.

The Tonys Were a Shit Show

Sunday was a mixed bag. Walking Her Highness in the morning was painful. My foot hurts less than my right hip due to me limping and using my right leg for all the power. However, it was easier to walk than during the two previous days. My ankle was not as swollen, but bad times are coming.

Today, it’s predicted to rain. I hope it does. It’s also likely to remain cool. We expect a high this afternoon of only 14°. Starting tomorrow, however, the weather is predicted to begin changing back to eternal sunshine, and warmer each day until the weekend when we anticipate temperatures in the thirties. Yikes!

When we got home from our walk, to celebrate My Day, we went to Silva Bay and the food truck for lunch. I had their delicious fish tacos that I absolutely adore. And then we went to Kris and Steve’s to deliver some books I bought for them. It was lovely to do something away from home and to see my friends.

After the walk and the excitement of Silva Bay, I retreated to the chaise to read, and then it was time for our afternoon walk. I am very slow. There is no option. But I’m grateful for being able to walk with less pain.

The day ended sadly. I watched the Tonys and was appalled by a loud, crass shitshow hosted by Pink who, as far as I can tell, has nothing to do with Broadway. I couldn’t stick it out. I quit watching, sad and horrified at how the drive for profit and audiences has made Broadway a panderer to mammon. Greatness is gone. Sophistication is gone. Tradition is gone. It’s a tragedy.

 Today is cloudy. I am praying for rain, and I’m looking forward to another day of reading and chilling with my foot up. I’ll try walking with our friends this morning, but I’ll turn around and go back if it’s too painful. I’m looking forward to spending time with Kate Atkinson.

The Fire Truck is a food truck that operates on a large park in
Silva Bay. I love, love, love their fish tacos.

There are artists selling their goods, there is live music and there
are kids and dogs playing in the park. I love my Sundays here.

This is Kris and Steve's kitchen and their island we sit around 
before dinners. Their house is always a wonderful place to party

This is to the left of the kitchen where we eat. We never use the
living room, but often eat on the deck overlooking the ocrean.

One field I pass all the time, It is a neighbour's field and it is full
of flowering Daisies that are not showing up well in this photo.

On the other side of the field shown above, Daisies
are blooming en masse.

This ground cover is everywhere in the forest. The flowers are like
wee bells. They are purple, selicate and gorgeous.

Another precious ground cover. There is such
beauty in the small things.

Choral Root Orchids are growing all over the firest.

My new hammock is too small for me. Sigh. But I
shall use it anywhere somehow.

Swolllen left ankle.