Monday was our last day with James and it was a little lower key that the previous couple had been. We were expecting a warm sunny day on Monday but once again the forecast didn't quite live up to our expectations. It was warm enough but very overcast and was calling for rain between 11:00 and 4:00. We had invited Bernie to come to supper so decided to try kayaking earlier in the day. After some breakfast, we loaded up my kayak on the trailer and headed over to the Van Gaals. We picked up Brenda's boat, lifejacket and paddle and headed out to the Johnson's River.
The heat has really accelerated the growth of the weeds in it and the area where you launch the boats is quite overgrown both on the bank and in the water. Once you get away from the bridge, it improves significantly. We had a lovely leisurely paddle down the river and one of the channels, as we observed the herons, and other local birds. We also saw a duck with a whole lot of little babies in tow swimming away as we approached. I think James was quite taken with how peaceful an experience it was -
nothing around but the sounds of nature.
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| Note to mom - he IS wearing a lifejacket - it's under his jacket |
We had a few raindrops fall when we first arrived but that was it. Fortunately it held off for the rest of the day.
When he got tired we headed back to the car, loaded up and left. We dropped Brenda's stuff off at her house and continued home. Bernie was coming for supper and we had things to do. Lloyd was over at Bernie's and got home a little while after us. James vacuumed and set the table and I prepped some of the food but Lloyd was doing most of it. He had taken a rabbit out of the freezer and was making rabbit pies and we were also having BBQ moose that had been marinating all day.
I just had the butter tarts and vegetables to take care of. Not long after we got home, Lloyd arrived to take over in the kitchen, while James set up his version of the bar. He went online to research some drink recipes that were possible with our limited supply of alcohol. He managed to find a recipe for a vodka martini and made me one. It was actually very good, and I'm not usually a huge fan of martinis.
In a while Bernie arrived and we had a drink first, then soup - left over from last week - curried carrot and parsnip. Followed by rabbit pie, BBQ moose and baby carrots, it was supper. James really liked the moose, but the rabbit pie not so much. I think it was a textural and mixed all together thing. We were just waiting for the tea to have with our butter tarts when we noticed a motorcycle approaching slowly and turning into the drive. It was Jackie and Helena stopping in on their way out to Morrell. They were just in time for tea and butter tarts. They stayed for a short visit and then continued on their way, and Bernie left at the same time. Of course James had to show everyone his chickens. Did I mention he's given them all names? He said you're not supposed to give animals names that you plan to eat because you then get too close to them. I don't think that's a problem with the names he's given them. One's name is Colonal Saunders, one is Mary Brown, one is Chicken Nugget, one is Chicken Wing - you get the drift. He claims he'll have no problem eating them and wanted to be here when they were killed but we told him they will be taken somewhere to do that. He is looking forward to eating them.
We finished off our evening doing dishes while he went about making a new bonfire. It wasn't dark yet because we had to make it an early evening so we could get up at 4:00. His fire building proved successful once again, and then it was time for a quick bath and off to bed.
Tuesday morning we got up early, and headed to the airport. Not sure why I needed to be there - more for me I think. He always looks so smart in his suit and tie and this was no exception. I don't know what it is about seeing a kid dressed up that makes people smile. He was putting his stuff in the bin and one of the security ladies at the far end saw him and smiled. Then she went over to the fellow operating the Xray machine and said something to him. He peered around the machine, saw James and he also smiled. James went through the metal detector and was putting his jacket back on, all the while chatting a mile a minute. Later, as they were getting ready to depart the female security guard came out and saw me and asked if that was my grandson. I confirmed that it was. She replied "You don't have to worry about him - he'll be just fine on his own". I agreed. Then she said "What a sweetie, he's so polite and cute and he told us all about wanting to become a pilot". I replied that he probably told you way more than you needed to know at that time of the morning but she just laughed and said again "What a sweetie". I had already texted Patti and told her he had charmed his way through security.
He arrived home and Patti picked him up so all went well. She later sent me a text to say that by all accounts it was a fantastic weekend. Good to hear because we certainly enjoyed having him.
He did request that I post a photo of the chicks with each blog so James, this one is for you- taken on Tuesday evening.
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