Henri's First Day

Tuesday was a gorgeous late Summer day. There wasn’t a cloud in the sky, and it was a lovely 20° in the afternoon. 

Our day began with a dog walk with our friends. I left to join them shortly after Henri arrived for work. I told him when he arrived that I was going to pay him $5 more per hour than he asked for; he’d quoted me $25/hr. and that seemed morally wrong to me.

When we got back from our walk, I got busy taking all my flimsy little tree fences down from around all my front yard trees so that Henri could spend all his time on the construction of the new ones. He’s done a great job, and I enjoy his company. It felt good to help him. I hate sitting around on my fat ass while someone is working for me. Then I went into the village to fetch wood chips and fertilizer. Henri wants to spread wood chips on my raised beds and around the trees.

Next up for me was watering. I watered all the backyard beds, and I left the rest to do today. There is no rain in the forecast for the coming week. At 3:00, Henri left, and I am pleased with his work. I have a couple of minor complaints that I can fix myself, but he is a hard and conscientious worker. We are going to get along just fine and, weather permitting, he’ll be here for a day every week until all the work I want done is done.

I kept at it until 3:30 and by then I was so tired I felt broken. But I have been using my inhalers three times a day instead of just two, and I felt much better yesterday than I did on Tuesday. Tuesday sucked. I could hardly wait to strip off my clothes and get into the spa to relax and recover from a long and busy day. And then came dinner and a movie that I more than deserved. I’d worked hard (for me) all day.

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If I had to move into an apartment, I think I’d go mad. When I last lived in Vancouver, I became a walker because where I lived, I had no yard. I lived right in the city centre where there is naught but concrete and asphalt. So, I’d go for walks every sunny day—long walks. I walked 20 to 30 kilometres on 90% of my walks.

Here, I have my own private little park, and I never want to live without one for as long as I possibly can. It’s a lot of work and it’s an expensive hobby. What I love, is that it gives me something to do every day. There is always work to be done, especially at the rate at which I work. But Henri will to the heavy lifting, and I’ll do the easy stuff—watering, raking, and mowing.

Shopping

Monday’s big achievements were many for this non-speaking, weak as paper man. 

I went to Arbutus Building Centre for the rebar and stucco wire that Henri needs to rebuild my little fences around my trees in the front yard. I went to the till where I knew someone who was working there. Robin and I attended to a guy who’d dropped unconscious beside me in Nester’s. He was working there at the time, and we bonded over the incident.

Knowing him allowed me to, with great difficulty, tell him what I wanted. It was very hard as I had not brought a pen and paper. I learned my lesson. Eventually I got everything paid for and he told me to take the receipt to Zed (?) and Jake, two workers working in the yard, but when I looked at the receipt, it did not explain that the 100’ of rebar I needed was to be in 5’ lengths. So, I asked Robin if he could come with me to explain what I wanted to the guys.

Robin walked me into the yard and introduced me to the guys. Then he turned to me and told them my name. And then he said, “He’s got a bit of a speech problem, so pay attention when he’s speaking, okay.” I was taken aback. That was the first time that I can remember of being introduced that way, and I really appreciate it. It lessens my anxiety, thereby increasing my potential to speak.

I got everything into the truck and then took Sheba to the park to play fetch. What achievement was involved with park play? I’ve become very, very good at throwing the ball with my left hand. Right shoulder killer pain prevents me from using my right hand for many things, but throwing the ball was tough. But no more! 

Carrying the rebar just a few meters from the car to a place in the front yard not visible from the road was brutal for Mr. Weak, but I did it. I carried only two pieces of rebar at a time, and I rolled the wire across the yard instead of carrying it. I was chuffed by all I did yesterday, and I was really in good spirits because it was a stunning day. It was a wonderful 24° at 3:00 pm. So, into the spa I went to end my day of chores.

Last night I watched the Emmys. I’d taped it; the awards show once interested me. I enjoyed many moments of the broadcast, for sure, but thank God for the mute and fast-forward buttons. I was particularly moved and impressed by Richard Gadd’s speech (as writer of Baby Reindeer) and his achievement. It felt intensely honest, and his message was valuable. I cried seeing such a good man.

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Tuesday began with a walk with Her Highness and then I took her to the groomers. I love it when she goes and comes home smelling so sweet and looking so, so smart. After I picked her up, we came home for lunch and then I left her here at home and I went to the library for my second session of ASL with a very small group. I signed up (pardon the pun) for 10 classes, once a week.

I was not in good shape yesterday. My weakness was extreme; every time I breathed in, it hurt, so I am keen for my Oct. 2 appointment with Jennifer here to get a referral to the Pacific Lung Clinic. After the class, I just wanted to chill and so when I got home, I had a long nap, and the rest of the afternoon was slow and easy.

I watched a shit movie and went to bed early last night. Today, Henri comes for his first day of working with me, and it’s a gorgeous day for us to work in.

The Emerald Sand Dunes in Brazil fill with rainwater every year,

creating crystal clear lagoons. Even though it looks like a desert,

it gets 47 inches of water per year making it too rainy 

to be officially considered a desert.

The Richat Structure, also known as "The Eye of the Sahara.” 

Located in Mauritania, the structure is about 50 km in 

diameter. It was initially thought to be the result of an

impact event because large meteors typically produce 

circular features on Earth's surface. But geologic studies 

have revealed that it is an uplifted geologic dome, 

also known as a domed anticline.

David & Lydia Visit

Saturday dawned dark and wet, so I lit a small fire. I wanted the place to be warm and cosy for David and Lydia. But by noon, the day had become sunny and bright. Her Highness and I went for a short walk before going into the village to attend the Farmers’ Market. I wanted to get some plumbs and dog treats for Sheba. Then we came home, and I got busy baking another plumb cake for our dinner. 

The house was full of the smell of a baked plumb tart when they arrived at 2:45. It was a lovely way to welcome them to Pinecone Park. Sheba, of course, provided the 21-bark salute. We all came inside, and they got settled and then we got to chatting over snacks and (non-alcoholic) drinks. It felt wonderful to be back together, and I had enjoyed a long Zoom chat with Steve in the morning, so we had him to discuss as well.

All we did all afternoon was talk and laugh together. I am so, so comfortable with these two dear friends who are a vital part of my legacy of life with Steve. They loved the dinner I made, and so did I. I’d made a great Caesar salad, that I forgot to serve them, pesto pasta with fresh basil from the garden, and for protein and cooked us each 5 huge prawns in a very buttery sauce with dill, shallot, and garlic, and we ate an entire (small) baguette, dipping pieces into the Prawn sauce. And I served my plumb cake for dessert. Then we watched a movie and went to bed. 

Saturday was quite showery, although there were some generous sunny periods, but Sunday dawned bright and sunny (and cool). Lydia and I began our day with a long, long soak in the spa, and then we all went on a long forest walk together. After our walk, we dropped Sheba off at home and we went to the Surf for lunch. It could have been a big mistake.

When we pulled into the parking lot, it was jammed with cars. We arrived at 1:00, got a table by the window, and when we ordered, the server advised us tha there would be an hour wait for the food. Lydia was unhappy about that; she wanted to leave, but Dave and I were willing to wait. So, Lydia went on a hunt and came back to the table with a deck of cards, and we had a ball playing Crazy Eights until our meal arrived at 2:00. We ate enthusiastically and came home to rest from a busy morning.

We’d eaten lunch so late, we weren’t hungry, so I offered them the salad I’d forgotten to serve the night before, and that was perfect for everyone. And we watched Waking Ned Divine, a movie I have long loved, and David and Lydia were laughing all the way through it. Then it was off to bed early because they were up at 5:30 this morning, and they left at 6:00.

It's always sad when guests leave. I will have a chill day today as life returns to normal. I lit a morning fire to heat up the house for the day, and I plan to take it easy all day. 

Lydia & David Day 1

Friday was wet and I was happy to not have to water any garden beds. I did some shopping and I did some prep for my dinner with Lydia and David tonight.

The best thing about yesterday was Henri. He’s my new gardener. He’s an old guy, no teeth, ponytail, lazy eye, but he fills me with enthusiasm and relief because I have faith in him as a gardener and a man. He arrived when he said he would, and he is very straight forward. He’s starting work on Wednesday, and I’m thrilled. 

I planted a lilac, plumb, apple and maple tree in the front yard, and I built a makeshift fence around them to protect them from the deer. They look awful, so Henri is going to build me new ones that will better serve the trees, look nicer, and be all the same in design. My front yard will look much nicer. I believe I’ve found myself a knowledgeable and reliable gardener. Bronwyn was knowledgeable but completely unreliable.

I’m glad it rained so much yesterday. We all had a cosy day inside with a small fire. Sheba and I had a good long walk in the morning, and she hates the rain, so she was content to be indoors all day. But the best thing about the rain is that I don’t have to do any watering while David and Lydia are here.

I went to David and Lydia’s wedding. I barely knew Lydia when she married. My relationship with Steve was just beginning when we met. She, Steve, their mother, Martha, and I were a unit. We loved being together. I felt we were the heartbeat of the family at celebrations.

Martha took me for a walk once. We walked around the Lake near their home, and at one point she stopped. She turned to me, and she had tears rolling down her cheeks, and she said, “I’m so sorry. I wasted two years being cold to you because you were making me see and accept what my son was. I was so wrong to do that. I see that you love him as much as I do.” And she hugged me. From then all, all her cards and letters to me were signed ‘Mom.’

When I became Steve’s partner, I got a whole family. After Steve left, they all came up to have Christmas with me. Martha is dead now, but Lydia and I have an unbreakable bond. Being uncle to her children has been one of my life’s greatest joys. I’m particularly close to Gene. I babysat him often. He was the first baby I got to hold and love. He feels to be part of me.

We’re going to have a great visit together.