Dorothy had her own birthday four days before mine and Emily
and her boyfriend Justin were on hand to celebrate. We went for fish and
chips and then came home for turtle cheesecake, as you can see in this picture
(click it to enlarge):
While Nicholas was still home visiting, he and Dorothy took me
to the Millarville Farmer's Market, which is held every Saturday morning during
the summer. It takes place near a small village on the prairies.
Many farmers bring their products in freezers in their vehicles and then display
them for their crowds on top of ice. I enjoyed walking around, thinking of
our Downtown WI Market. Something of everything on display: vegetables,
flowers, meat, poultry, cakes, breads, cheese, and so much craft work.
Plenty of food and drink to purchase - not just tea and coffee - but I didn't
see any homemade biscuits on offer like there are at the WI!
On another day, I went with Nicholas and his friend Philippe to the Glenbow
Museum in downtown Calgary. We went to visit a large exhibition about the
cultures of Canada' Inuit who live in the Arctic North. On display were
both historic and present day artifacts that showed how the people used to
subsist entirely off of the land up until the 1900s, and how European influence
has gradually altered their lifestyles in the hundred years since. Today
they have access to most of the same goods and services as Canadians living in
the south. I especially enjoyed a video presentation about the lives of
Inuit women and the traditions surrounding pregnancy and birth.
My things
arrived from England in August. Nicholas, Dorothy, and I unpacked
everything and Dorothy was polishing and cleaning and I couldn't stop her!
The apartment looks so nice now that all of my furniture is here and the walls
are hung with familiar pictures and photos from my home in Downton.
On the 31st of July, Nicholas brought my mail to me and I was overjoyed when I opened a big envelope to find a lovely painting of the Downton WI Market counter showing WI cup and saucer, basket of biscuits, and WI friends in the room drinking coffee and tea and chatting to each other. The picture was painted for me by Pat Bennett - thank you! - and I intend to frame it and hang it in my home as a reminder of my friends in my other home!
There is a garden club in the community where we live and the members
invited the public to view their gardens one weekend. Nicholas took me to
see several gardens and they were beautiful. Here is a picture of me
having a rest in one of them:
Unfortunately, we
expect the frost to come fairly soon now. It's cool at nights with some
frost nearer to the mountains.
After a medical review and a road test, Dorothy has been given permission to drive again after eight months of restriction following her operation. This will make such a difference for her and it will be lovely for me too because she's willing to take me shopping or wherever else we want to go.
One place Dorothy has been able to take me is to Ogden House
Seniors Club, which I joined this month. It is about a 20 minute car ride
from where we live. It seems a very flourishing club, partly because it is
not only for active individuals but also for less able people, who are helped by
students and volunteers. The club is open every day. There are
courses available: oil painting, Tai Chi, water colours, scrapbooking, painting
on glass, etc. Then there are the "drop in" activities going on: whist,
canasta, bridge, crib, scrabble, ping pong, aerobics, yoga, ladies' snooker,
etc. Or you can simply go and have a social visit, read one of their
books, borrow one of their videos, etc. I've met some nice people so far
and am sure I will meet many more. Here I am in front of the centre:
Opposite my apartment is a large landscaped square surrounded by row houses similar to mine. In the centre is a large gazebo and on Saturdays, we see wedding parties in the square having their photos taken after their Church Service. I can see it all going on from my living room windows or when I'm out for a walk and it's been living seeing all the brides and grooms over the course of the summer!
And, finally, I was ever so happy to see Granddaughter Emily return to Calgary after a summer spent in Europe. It's nice to have the family close by, and she was happy to be reunited with her boyfriend again.
I wish you all much love and hope that your own summer months
have been happy ones!
Rene
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