Mahle House: YUM!

Wednesday was a gentle day until the late afternoon—except for one thing. We went for a nice long walk with Sheba in the morning on an overcast and cool day, and we came up on a downed tree across the trail. Because my knee is still healing from my fall last Sunday, I did not want to bend it to go under the tree, so I climbed onto it and jumped off. That was a mistake.

It really hurt both my hips. The force of landing did something nasty to them, but we carried on and came home to eat left-over pizza for lunch. We chilled for the balance of the day and then caught the four o’clock ferry to the big island. We went to Westwood Lake Park, a favourite place of mine, and we walked the 6K trail around the lake to tire out Her Highness, and then we went to Mahle House restaurant for our dinner.

Just like last year, our dinner was as good as dining gets. The staff are wonderfully warm, and so are the other diners. We talked with the people at four tables around us. Wednesdays at this restaurant, they serve a five-course pris fixe dinner and it has been extraordinary every time we’ve gone. We sat down at around 7:15 and left two hours later. When we got back to the ferry, we had a long wait for the last ferry of the day. We got home at midnight, and I was totally baked. Oh, it felt good to get into bed.

Today is like yesterday, it’s overcast and cool. We’re having a slow day at home. It’s our last day together. Tomorrow Steve catches a bus from Nanaimo to Victoria where he is going to visit our friends Don and Fernando. We’ll visit Drumbeg after lunch and then I’m making a nice dinner for us and we’ll watch a movie.

A rough Night

Tuesday was lovely. I did some watering and then Steve came with Sheba and I for a good walk. It was only Sheba’s second real walk in over two weeks. Then we went into the village to shop for our dinner last night, before coming home for lunch and a rest. Then we were off to Sandwell beach on an absolutely stunning day. Bright and warm in the sunshine, but not too hot.

At Sandwell, I read in the shade while Steve went for a long walk down the beach combing for treasures. On the way back, I encountered three young women who were quite taken with Sheba. Only one of them could speak English fairly well, and they had many questions. I answered them all as best I could and left them feeling wonderful. It felt so, so good to be helpful to guests to our island and I walked away almost in tears over how relations between strangers, especially people of colour, can go so wrong. I was thrilled to meet them.

Just past 6:00, Eoin, François and Jay arrived; we had set a lovely table set in the garden. The evening was wonderful in a way. I think our guests enjoyed themselves, but Steve + liquor is  not easy for me. He embarrasses me. He talks to much and often misses the mark. It makes me so uncomfortable, that my speech becomes dreadful, and when I try to speak, I see and hear people pulling away. I get spoken over and the conversation moves on without me. It was one of the most awkward social experiences I’ve had as a speech impaired person. Still, I loved being in my garden with such good friends. I reckon when Eoin and François or Jay and I get together, we’ll be talking about Steve.

Today is dull and overcast. Tonight, we go to Cedar to eat at a wonderful restaurant. We’ll be getting home late, Sigh. But we love the place. We visited it last year and were absolutely delighted with it.

Steve Arrives

Monday began with a heavy load of domestic duties prior to Steve’s arrival: a union of one man who carefully avoids over-stimulation with another who wants as much stimulation as is possible all the time! While he’s here, I may have some clinic work to do; that could be a challenge for Steve. Regardless of the differences between us, we had the most fabulous visit last time he was here.

Whereas my walking was okay, one foot is very swollen, and one hand is badly bruised by my fall. But I was totally functional, and that’s important for Steve’s visit. When I told him I’d fallen, he replied, “Well get well fast because you are my guide while I’m there.” Compassion is not his strong point.

He arrived right on time, and we came home to get him settled and to just hang out together. Then we went to The Surf for dinner. We sat on the deck of the pub on a perfect evening, overlooking the ocean. It was spectacular and Steve was thrilled. When we came home, we started to watch a movie, but I bailed to go to bed early. I was beat.

The forecasted rain for tomorrow is gone. Sigh. Endless watering is ahead for me and it’s tiresome. I’m in a quitter frame of mind. I’m rather sick of watering, I want to quit the clinic, and I even feel poorly about the writing I’m doing for STAMMA. I want to be alone and do nothing but read and putz. It will pass.

We’re about to take Sheba for a walk. Her first in ages, but she’s looking good. Then we’ll go shopping, go for another walk at Sandwell Beach and then the boys—Eoin, François and Jay—are coming for dinner.

Steve Arrives

Sunday was a slow, slow day. I was delighted to have had such a nice morning with Issa, because the afternoon was uncomfortable. Sheba was still hobbling on three legs and without much of an appetite, and my knee and right hand were painful. The worst part were the cramps. By feet cramped up unbelievably tightly; I had a tough time getting my toes to uncurl. It was so painful that I was making noises. Cramps can really hurt. Sigh.

I waited until late in the afternoon, when the sun was no longer shining on the spa, to slip into the refreshing water to sooth my aching body and soul. I’ve turned down the temperature so it’s just gently warm on a hot, hot day. And yesterday was hot!

I video chatted with Bruce and Steve several times as they took in Vancouver’s Pride Parade. It goes past Bruce’s building. I went once after FND set in and wound-up laying in Bruce’s apartment glugging my ears and trying to keep calm. I miss my years of love for that parade and being out and about with so many gays and lesbians. But no more. Now, my primary communities are the stuttering and FND communities.

By 8:00, it started hurting like bejesus when I moved my knee. Senior down! Steve, my ex who loves to be busy, is coming to stay with a damaged host. I squeal like a pig when I move my knee, and I hobble, I don’t walk. It’s extremely painful. 

I’ve awakened able to walk normally. Hurrah! And Sheba is close to normal as well. Now, if only I can keep her from doing more damage to herself, we’ll be good. Steve arrives today to stay until Friday. It’s going to be busy and when he leaves, I will sleep for at least two days. But I’m really looking forward to being together.