Thursday, May 31st - Lloyd has one more sleep before his last day at work

It's a damp and foggy 9' this morning but should clear and warm up to 15' with sun and cloud this afternoon - just what my little garden needs!

Lloyd is anxiously awaiting Friday - his last day. He's looking after Meghan on Thurday night and then dropping her off at school in the morning so his day will be off to a late start. Then likely a slow day, maybe some cake, and then he's done. I remember that feeling of the last day, and it feels really strange, knowing you're soon leaving everyone and everything behind to start a new life in another place (been there, done that!).

Last night Brenda and I went to the movies and saw "The Most Exotic Marigold Hotel" and it was great. It had a brilliant cast and was very funny. We both really enjoyed it. When it was over we went to Cedars for a bite to eat, thanks to Will who came over and let the dog out. Now this morning, said dog is off for a spa day - bath, haircut and nails trimmed. He's got quite the life that one. So I'm cutting this short this morning as I have to  leave a bit earlier to drop him off.


Today the boys leave for Cooperstown. I know they're pretty excited. I was checking out the website yesterday and the list of teams  for the week is online. Our boys are the only Canadian team there next week.

So they've picked up small Canadian flags for each of them to carry during the opening ceremonies and their local MP have given them a full size flag to carry as well. They also have a large team banner so I look forward to seeing photos. Other family members are welcome to come to the ceremonies to watch. This will be an amazing experience for all of them. A lot of the other teams are from states that can play ball all year long so they are up against some pretty serious competition but just the opportunity will be worth it. And knowing James, who is very sociable, he'll come home with at least 100 new friends. Kids today have so many more opportunities than we ever did, or even our kids.

An aerial view of the park. I count at least 23 ball diamonds. 

Have a wonderful, and safe trip guys!

Wednesday, May 30th - the rains has arrived

It's a little balmier than yesterday morning, 6' with light rain - just what my little garden needs. I stopped by there on my way to work yesterday morning and uncovered the plants and all is well. Now the rain has finally come to give them a much needed drink. Although even without any watering yet, the cucumber plants have some new leaves on them so all is well. 

On my way past Richard and Daralens, I noticed that the Lupins in the ditch by their house are blooming. Very soon all the open green spaces such as ditches and un-tilled fields will be ablaze with colour. I love when they are in bloom. They're so pretty and such an iconic sight for PEI. 

We might be complaining that it's a bit chilly from time to time but I don't miss what Ontario has been experiencing recently. Yesterday morning I was listening to the Guelph radio station online at work and at 7:30 it was 24' with a humidex reading of 31' - and it's only May! I talked with Lloyd a little later and his only comment on the weather was "it's stinking hot"  He won't miss it either.

As the days count down, he's anxiously awaiting the time when he can leave Ontario and return to the east, as it was after all, his idea. Not that I'm complaining - I can't imagine living anywhere else now that I've been here for a while.  One of his co-workers retired a few months back and she and her husband built a house in Nova Scotia in the Annapolis Valley area. We look forward to having the opportunity to visit them once he gets here. I received a phone call from Sandra on Sunday and I haven't chatted with her in a very long time. It was nice to catch up a bit, although I did have to cut it short as I was on my way to pick up Brenda. But now we'll be able to get together from time to time. She has tried to email me several times and it always bounces back. She gave me her email address and when I tried to email her, it bounced back. I have no idea what's going on with that. I guess we'll have to communicate the old fashioned way - telephone or snail mail!

And finally, James has started his umpiring job (Fran will be so proud!)

Patti sent me this photo of him all ready for his 'first day on the job".  He looks so grown up and professional, although the shirt is a little big, but I suspect it was likely the smallest one they had and his skinny little body swims in it! Well done James.  

Tuesday, May 29th - the farmers were right!

When I got out of bed this morning, I looked out the window to see a layer of frost on the roof of the shed. When I let the dog out I checked the windshield of the car and if I were going out now, I would almost need to scrape the windows. The Weather Network says it's now 3' (at 5:00 am) so I'm not sure how low it got last night. I just know I'm glad I covered up my plants over on Five Houses Road last night. I used rocks and old bricks to hold the plastic sheets down and I'm hoping they held in place. I'll check on my way to work this morning when I go to uncover them. Worst case scenario, the plants need to be replaced. There's not that many of them if they do. I did forget about my petunias in the planter beside the house but they appear to be fine this morning. I'm thinking they were close enough to the house that they weren't affected. But we'll see later today. It's only going up to 12' later so it will be a cooler one.

On Sunday evening, Brenda and I went over to the Rec Centre for an evening of music and socializing in honour of the Irish visitors. It seems back in 1990, as part of a tourism initiative, between PEI and Ireland, Irish people were invited to visit in hopes that they would go back and encourage other Irish people to visit in the future. And likewise, our residents would visit Ireland and encourage islanders to visit there. Now, some 22 years later, long after the initiative has finished, Fort Augustus continues to honour this tradition. An association was formed years ago and their job is to organize the visit each year. The numbers who arrive each year can change and this year there were only three. Places are found for these visitors to stay and tours and events are organized for them during the week or so that they are here. Often they are local politicians from County Monaghan area, who are able to return and share their experiences with their constituents. With so much Irish heritage in the area, it's nice to see they are keeping those connections for future generations.

I'm told that if you travel to Ireland and have some names of some of these folks to contact, you are treated like royalty when you arrive. Caitlin had that experience a few years ago when she and some friends connected with some of the previous Irish visitors over there and spent a particularly enjoyable evening at a pub with the locals. What a great vacation experience. Then to have the opportunity meet the same fellow again when he came back to PEI the next time,  was tremendous. They are having some kind of homecoming festival next year and are hoping as many people as possible will travel to Ireland. Perhaps that's when Brenda and I should make that trip we've been talking about for a while now.

This week I'm at home all week, but there are several things on the go I should have been attending over the next week or so:
1) the Queen's Diamond Jubilee in London - to see Sir Paul in concert ( I was there for the Golden Jubilee so I suppose it will be the same sort of event)
2) The IAAP Canadian Conference in Waterloo, hosted by my old chapter for the first time
3) A conference in town for Chef Educators (which I'm told I'm qualified to attend by virtue of community school)

But for one reason and another I'm not attending any of those things. A couple of months ago I was trying to juggle things so I could attend as many as possible but now none are on the radar. My vacation scheduling is still up in the air, waiting on outside influences to dictate what I may need my holidays for, and I also want to make sure I have some days off left when those little kids visit, whenever that turns out to be. So I'm content to stay here in this lovely, green place and watch the humming birds. What can I say, it really doesn't take that much to make me happy!

Monday, May 28th - it was a glorious island weekend

Well, I learned a valuable lesson on the weekend. Don't assume that because you read it online, that it's true. I dutifully did my research last week and for our area it said to plant various seeds and plants at certain times and the ones I planted were to be planted between May 15th and 30th - which I did on Friday night. Only on Saturday did I learn from dear friends Brenda and Bernie, that we don't usually plant things until the first of June, or after the full moon, because there is still a risk of frost. What was I thinking in not checking with my 'go to' people first?
It was a beautiful weekend and my thought was, naw, it's okay, it will be fine. BUT this morning I open up the weather network, and there, in bright red letters, at the very top are these four deadly words - "FROST WARNING IN EFFECT" - for tonight. Can you believe that? It's 5' this morning and we should reach a sunny 16' later but tonight it may go down to 3' with a risk of frost. Guess I know what I'll be doing tonight - covering up my little plants, then I'll swing by and uncover them again in the morning. Better to be safe than sorry.

I spent all evening Friday after work, raking, hoeing and planting my little patch of ground. The guys left me a strip down the side of the field that is perfect for my purposes. It's not a very big garden patch but for the first year it will be enough to start with. Especially when I don't know for sure how long it's going to take Lloyd to get down here. We'll be better organized next year as we'll have the whole winter to plan it all out. For full details of my little attempt at horticulture, skip on over to the other site, www.atourislandtable.blogspot.com where I'll keep it updated with the progress of things.

Saturday morning looked like it was going to rain all day long but by the time I got home from work, it had finally cleared up quite nicely so I was able to cut ALL the grass. I still have some trimming to do and the patches that I can't get to with the riding lawn mower, but the bulk of it is done. Just in time to head over to the Van Gaals for supper. The boys were all working in the fields so we planned on a late supper. Brenda had found a recipe with shrimp and smoked sausage and pasta and all kinds of yummy things that we tried.She also had a recipe she got from her sister in law for fiddle head soup that we wanted to try.  I had some apples I was needing to utilize so I made an apple crisp and brought that over as well. We spent the better part of the evening cooking and it was just ready when Bernie came in. Talk about timing! The fiddle head soup had a nice fresh flavour but Brenda says it was thicker when she had it at her sister in law's. It may have been the type of potatoes we used, or who knows what.  The pasta dish was also very good. It was flavourful with just a touch of heat to it but we would increase the amount of sauce ingredients next time. We overcooked the apple crisp because both of us kind of forgot it was in the oven, (and no, we didn't have any wine while we were cooking) but with a bit of ice cream, it was still okay.

Sunday we planned to take our bikes on a bit of a tour of the National Park before we have to pay to get in and before  it gets busy with the summer crowd. My bike was at Brenda's so I met her over there a little after 10:00.  Unfortunately, for reasons we just can't comprehend, her key was left on and her battery was totally dead. Bernie tried charging it but it wouldn't keep going. So we put a trickle charger on it and went back inside to make breakfast. After we ate, we checked it again and it still wasn't charging. So, on to plan B, which is usually kayaking. But, as it is the middle of planting season, the truck we would normally use wasn't available. On to plan C - which was bicycling on the trail. We've never done that before but we've talked about it a bit. So I decided to drive my motorcycle home, and Brenda  would follow me if my car, after we put her bike on the bike rack. I knew I would be a few minutes ahead of her as she had to go and get changed. Well, my ride home was uneventful until I got to the driveway. I slowed down too much at the end and stalled it as I made the turn. I re-started it  and was just coming up the hill when I was distracted by a car backing out of the neighbours driveway.  I turned to see who it was, as it was a car I didn't recognize (okay, I was nosey)  and when I turned back it was just in time to see the front wheel of my bike about to slide off the side of a rut in the road. I knew it was going over so I was able to get my left leg out of the way. Fortunately I was going very slowly (or I might have been fine if I'd had my speed up a little) but over she went. I was quite pleased that I was able to pick it back up again, albeit with quite a bit of effort. As I was almost at the top of the slope I just pushed it the rest of the way. The problem is now it won't start.  Bernie says he'll come over one night and have a look at it when he gets some time.

So I parked it out of the way, and went and got changed. A few minutes later Brenda arrived and we decided that we just were not meant to motorcycle yesterday. Instead we loaded up my bicycle and headed over to Morrell. The trail from there to St. Peter's is particularly beautiful as it has many water views of the Morrell River. It was perfect biking weather - not too hot with a slight breeze. At first we found it a bit chilly but once we got going it was great. We were surprised that the trails weren't busier but we only met 3 or 4 other bikes the entire time. For our first time out on bicycles in a very long time we thought we did pretty well.

 There are signs along the way marking the number of kms. and we did a total of 12 km. I'm not feeling it today, but I know I will tomorrow. I am finding my arms, shoulders and upper back a little stiff but I suspect that's from picking up the motorcycle.

After our ride, we loaded up and came back to my place for a much deserved glass of wine and a couple of quesadillas.

My crepe maker was used in the morning to make tortillas and again to cook the quesadillas and it worked brilliantly. I think that will be supper again tonight.  We sat outside at the back and enjoyed the sunshine and the buzz of multiple humming birds visiting the new feeders I put out yesterday. They really are amazing little birds.

After eating, I drove Brenda home and we decided to go to the Rec Centre to see the Irish visitors. I'll tell you about that tomorrow.

Friday. May 25th - another gorgeous day in store

Yesterday was absolutely beautiful and it looks like we should be in for more of the same today. Right now it's 9' with some clouds but we should reach a sunny 22' later this afternoon. Love it!
Yesterday at lunch, I was on a mission.  I had researched when to plant what and headed out to first pick up a hoe. While I was at Canadian Tire, I also picked up some plants. I have big tomatoes and cherry tomatoes, green peppers ( I think, the tag just says 'peppers'), and they also had some bean plants that are about 8' tall. I'm also going to plant some bean seeds but these will be ready a little sooner, perhaps.

I packed all my stuff up and headed over to Five Houses Road and I saw Ethan just walking up the hill. They were working on Richards field and getting them ready for planting so he suggested I wait till they're all done and it will be nice and ready to go. So I will wait a day or two more. I still have to pick up some seeds anyway, so it's better that I wait. That will also give me a little more time to get everything I need before I start planting.

Other than that it was an uneventful night. I came home and puttered around outside. I should have cut more grass but it was around 7:30 so I decided it was a little too late to get started..  I'll do some when I get home tonight, starting as soon as I get home. It's amazing how much I can get done in one evening if I start at it right away.

As the weekend approaches, my internet speeds decreaseing so I'm going to call it quits for this morning. Have a great weekend everyone. It should be a nice one here so hopefully we'll have some time to get out and enjoy it.

Thursday, May 24th - so no rain after all

We waited, and prepared for rain, for the past two days, but it didn't happen. Now this morning is a sunny 6' and we're heading for an even sunnier 20' later. How great is that?  Tonight I plan to spend some time preparing my little garden patch. I may even pick up some seeds at lunch today. I was over there last night and put a couple of stakes and some string in, to stake out my territory but I don't think the boys will be planting there today so it's okay. I had planned to put it on the corner closest to the road but perhaps it should be a bit further back so it won't be quite so visible from the road. A totally unattended vegetable garden just might be appealing to passers by, but who knows. I'll re-think that today and decide when I arrive this afternoon, rake in hand and doused liberally with bug spray!

I had a chat with Lloyd last night. He's now experiencing what I had when I was leaving - a steady rush of lunches and dinners as everyone you know wants to have a chance to see you one more time before you leave. He's definitely excited about it and is busy making plans as there are some things he won't have after June 1st - like a cell phone, etc. Good thing I bought a car - at least he has a vehicle because that also went with the job.

I also had a 'chat' with Patti yesterday via Blackberry Messenger. Meghan is getting geared up for her dance recital and James is really excited about the ball tournament he's going to at Cooperstown Dreams Park. It looks like quite the place. He and his dad will be staying there and Patti and Tristen will be staying somewhere else close by. I'm sure Tristen will enjoy having his mom all to himself. Greg's mom is coming to Guelph to stay with Meghan and help her get ready for the recital. She doesn't live in Guelph anymore and is doing the same thing I did when I stayed with the kids - lots of lunch dates to catch up with everyone you haven't seen in a while.

Last years winning team - they're going to have
such a great time

Patti tells me James was checking out the ball park as they have stats with records that kids have broken each year. He was looking to see what records he could attempt to break and she pointed out that he might set the record for the smallest kid there - I don't think he was impressed with that. He might be small but they don't call him Speedy James for nothing!  It will be a great experience for the entire team - check it out.  http://www.cooperstowndreamspark.com/  It's a very American experience but those folks take their baseball VERY seriously.

Wednesday, May 23rd - the internet gremlins have struck again

My internet connection this morning is virtually non-existent so I've wasted a lot of my morning trying to get to this very spot. But fortunately there's not a lot to write about so it all works out! It's damp out and looks like it has rained a little. It's also 15' but it should rain most of the day and go down to 9' later this afternoon. We expected rain yesterday but it really didn't materialize save for a few tiny showers off and on. For the most part it was a nice, warm day.

On the weekend I was whining (what else is new) about needing a place dug up to plant a garden. Bernie, in his infinite wisdom, (who I'm sure by now hates listening to me whine) pointed out that I had a whole field that was plowed and ready to be planted. Of course it's a few km's away but it would work. So last evening, before it got dark, I took a drive over to check it out, and low and behold, it is indeed a thing of beauty. He was right (of course he was right, he did the work). While there, I was stopped by the Five Houses Road Police Department who wanted to know if I had a 2012 pass for that road. I assured him I did, so he let me stay. Besides he was too busy trying to catch critters to worry much about what I was doing. It seems he's after a skunk, a racoon and another unknown varmint that he's trying to capture. Good luck with that Richard!
Saturday I'm going over there with a rake, and a hoe (which I need to buy first)  and some seeds (which I also need to buy) - and a bucket of bug spray, if last night was any indication, and I'm going to plant me some vegetables!  I'll bring along some stakes and string and mark off the plot I intend to use so he knows where it is. I certainly don't plan on using very much of it. I was looking at the corner on the front where the bunky proudly stood, but because of the trees, I'm probably better to go to the other edge, closer to Richard's property (with the mini home on it) because that spot will get more sun.  I'm really not a gardener, did I mention that? So I don't how successful this endeavor will be but if nothing else, it will be a learning experience. And isn't that what it's all about?