It is summer/fall

Although the calendar tells me that we are moving through October, the weather is very September like....we are experiencing an autumn slide with warm days and only cool not frosty nights. The garden/greenhouse is continuing to yield its bounty without additional heaters...yet. Because, even with climate change, all good things must come to an end...even Indian summer (likely a politically incorrect term now). Speaking of which...am wondering what the official name for Cape Negro (island, harbour and community) are now. Originally named in the 1600s by French settlers for the large black rocks (Cap Negre en francais) which were a navigation feature in the harbour, the name became anglicized and now... 

offensive although no connection to race. I recently learned however on a 'lantern walk' of the local historical district that there was a large African Canadian settlement behind the elementary school I attended, although there were old cellars and orchards behind the school grounds, I had never heard of a black settlement. The New England Planters who settled our area, being given the land grants following the 1756 expulsion of the Acadiens, raised large families and were hardy settlers. Thus many of us trace our roots back to the Mayflower and continue with northeastern USA connections. Fifty year old information from the 1960s included in the walk was unsettlingly familiar to this participant...how can that be? Why yes, I recall the bicentennial of the Old Meeting House in 1965, of course I remember when this building was the CIBC, why yes that was the telephone office when we had party lines. Yes, our number was 131-5 as in ring 5 (where 5 shot rings was our cue to lift the receiver) and then 206-3 (ring 3) when we got 'semi private' lines with less sharing and hearing of rings.  You know you're getting along in years when....

Pound salad

I took a run to Cape Breton to visit with a buddy I hadn't seen for over two years what with pandemic and life getting in the way. Stopped for a visit with the city kids overnight and left early morning to make it in time for lunch. Well first we had plans to have a glass of wine on my friend's small back deck and as we were putting the shade umbrella through the glass topped table....it shattered! Similar to a vehicle windshield blowing out. Noticed a slice on my friend's leg and had to improvise a butterfly and bandage on her shin. Quite the cleanup - a box of glass shards when swept. Off to have lunch with my hostess and the former nurse in charge from my winter contract at the Black Spoon Bistro in North Sydney, should you find yourself in that area it is a good spot. We did a day trip 'north of Smokey' to take in the Cabot Trail with its fall foliage, lovely gift shops, restaurants and various attractions including the gondola at Cape Smokey. The opaque fog didn't dampen our enthusiasm for the spot and Destination Cape Smokey will be a wonderful spot for skiing this winter, a hike, mountain biking and more eventually. The eight minute gondola ride is very smooth, immaculately clean and sterilized with UV light after each occupant. We enjoyed a full day and home to relax. Saturday with an early morning power outage (forgot how spoiled we are with the on demand generator and propane) meant Robin's drive thru for tea and some local exploring at the ferry dock then some shopping. We managed to score a table at The Lobster Trap and Moore and although I can't find a link for you it is searchable. The young chef is a bit of despot (think the soup nazi on Seinfeld) but the food, wine list, setting and service were amazing and worth the gauntlet my friend had to run to reserve us seats. I had pound salad seen here above on the right and it was unusual but completely delicious. Sunday I headed back in a downpour to the city and took a friend out to celebrate her new job. She's an OHN for EMC the provincial emergency health services provider and they are lucky to have her. 

I enjoyed a lovely birthday weekend with the oldest (also birthday celeb) and youngest daughter, youngest grandson and granddaughter in a cabin in Urbania along Rte 215, it's called Shubenacadie River Rafting Resort. We had a rustic cozy two bedroom cottage with pullout sofa so all had our own space. Enjoyed lots of good food, drinks and walks to check out the facilities. There was even a daily visit from the resident golden retriever who woofed and clearly was used to treats. No problem to decide we will book a summer group excursion in the 5 bedroom chalet during extreme tides for river rafting - I will keep the little ones. The drive across country saw us making our way through Cogmagun and Burlington - spots I hadn't visited for decades. Staycations have become the norm but are not without their small pleasures. Speaking of which, and no I don't have affiliated links here, I received a shipment of lip gloss from Moody Bee which is a company in BC with free shipping and great flavours....I mean key lime pie, london fog, banana cream...what is not to like? Reasonably priced, long lasting and not greasy. Highly recommend.

We continue to deal with the fall harvest. Today I am roasting tomatoes for sauce to freeze, have researched a recipe for carrot jam (original recipe from Victorian times) and dried some herbs. Yesterday I made bread, buns and crust so we had fresh margarita pizza with the tomatoes, basil and sauce coming from the onsite garden. The gardener even pickled peppers....not my thing, but he was pleased. Lots of beans blanched and frozen, potatoes, onion and garlic drying with tomatoes, egg plants, zucchini and cucumbers still continuing. Will be sad to have to do buy the commercial stuff again. 

We took in the latest James Bond movie recently in 3D and it didn't disappoint, last one for Daniel Craig...sigh. The special effects, music and fast pace are best viewed on the big screen. The previews for Belfast look good as well. Almost felt like normal times to return to a movie theatre again, albeit a matinee with a sparse crowd. The senior discount was a nice touch too. We'll be back Cineplex. 

Yesterday, very quietly, our Canadian government removed the disclaimer from the Foreign Affairs website instructing Canadians not to travel - this means that travel insurance will be honoured now and return to the country is more straight forward. The 'do not travel on cruise ships' statement is still there, but we 'may' be edging ever so slowly towards a bit of fun in the sun by March if all goes well. On the home front, we are slowly moving towards 'living with Covid' times which will likely include mask wearing indoors, some gathering limits, proof of vaccine required, likely additional vaccines and regular testing. Sigh...whatever it takes at this point. 

The unvaccinated skeptics boggle my mind (quoting Dr Anthony Fauci) here CBC podcast....problem-science-skepticism as they feel their world getting smaller and push back. I have unfriended and blocked many who make unscientific statements, but they are able to comment on public posts. Last night as I attempted to register for the local Recreation Department craft sessions (where proof of vaccination of course is required) the nonbelievers were out in full force posting completely untrue information about deaths from vaccination etc. With your decisions come consequences and the problem with this situation is that those who chose not to vaccinate feel they should continue to live life as they usually do. Sorry, not sorry....not happening. It is exhausting to witness such stupidity and annoying as these people have never nor ever will attend the craft group. And yes I applaud the federal decision to allow only vaccinated travellers/staff on airplanes, trains and ships. On my commute to work it will feel great to know that all of us onboard are vaccinated. However, for professionals who understand research, science and should be setting an example such as healthcare employees, teachers, childcare workers etc. I am completely out of patience. As the end of November provincial deadline for full vaccination inches closer (defined as two shots and 14 days after the final one) if an employee has not already begun the process....there will be some unpaid leave scheduled. I am more concerned about the risk of unvaccinated workers with vulnerable populations than I am about staff shortages....working 'short' is not a new concept to a nurse. Sigh.

Speaking of nurses....I am heading to a local theatre production of Steel Magnolias this evening and pleased to be sharing the experience with two other retired nurses. One of life's small pleasures.  As is the library book Migrations by Charlotte McConaghy which I'm reading on my Libby app and the various crochet projects I have on the go. My assistance as plumber's apprentice....not so much. The roommate may wear Carhartts and use salty language but he is not a certified plumber, not to mention that the tradespeople you pay, clean up after themselves. There is a small leak......perhaps from the fittings on the tank? Various trips to the workshop, colourful metaphors and piles of wet towels, t-shirts, tools, fittings and trash can full of paper towel, but no plumber p. Are we gaining?