Afternoon Tea

A lovely November Day; a friend's new suite in Abernethy ready for viewing; friends meeting for tea and conversation. China tea cups well over 80 years old. Four old friends sharing 8 or 9 decades (each!) of wisdom and laugher. A new quilt in the making admired. Isabel walking comfortably from the car and up the steps across the threshold to sit in a regular chair.

Isabel is on the go again and walked 966 steps on November 24 on her morning tour of the BICC.

Days shortening; Advent coming. Gratitude for health and community and each day.

A Bend in the Road

Thanks all of you for your support over the last month during Isabel's two recent episodes in hospital. We are hopeful that Mum's gastro-intestinal issues have been sorted out. She appears to be on the road to regain her strength again. Mum's spirit is determined and feisty and that always carries her a long way.

We are grateful for your care that has come in many ways through cards, WELL WISHES, emails, visits, and phone calls.

Thank you all!

Harvest-Home

On this Thanksgiving Weekend, Isabel often thinks of her Scottish & English friends and family and their traditions of Harvest-Home. Honouring the gathering-in; joining family and friends; sharing produce with others. Just as we do in Canada.

"Come, ye thankful people, come, raise the song of harvest home;
All is safely gathered in, ere the winter storms begin.
God our Maker doth provide for our wants to be supplied;
Come to God's own temple, come, raise the song of harvest home."

- "Come, Ye Thankful People, Come

Gratitude again and again for family and friends; caregivers and visitors; and letter-writers and callers.

And all who make community and extend the circle in so many ways.

Happy Thanksgiving!

When one door closes.....

During the last 3 years, many of you have commented on Isabel's visits to the Regina Floral Conservatory ~ that wonderful tropical paradise in the midst of north Regina. Early this autumn, Isabel discovered its equal in the Qu'Appelle Valley at the home of her friends, Sydna and Phillip in Fort Qu'Appelle.

Their creativity and hard work has turned a large pie-shaped lot into a place of wonder. Sydna has carefully nurtured plants from her native west coast to survive Saskatchewan's colder climate. The greenhouse grows large melons; strawberries tip over the edges of deck pots; the deckside herb garden fragrants the air; lilies of exquisite colours bloom throughout the summer.

Sydna shares her secret for making cut lilies last longer. Remove the pistil.

As we moved throughout the garden, Sydna dropped herbs and blossoms on Isabel's letter-board on Mum's lap so she could enjoy the whiffs of summer.

As Isabel leaves after her hour+ visit, Sydna invites her back to see her spring bulbs in May. As she got into the car, Sydna filled Mum's arms with gladioli ~ coral, royal purple, brilliant red, lemon, burgundy ~ for her room at the BICC.

When Mum left Regina, she knew that she may not visit the Floral Conservatory again.

A new garden of wonder has become available.

When one door closes, another opens.

Paying One's Dues

Last Wednesday, Isabel had opportunity to once again attend the monthly Aber Seniors' Meeting on Main Street, Abernethy. We kidded her that she could just walk though the door as she had kept up her annual membership since moving to Regina 4 years ago.

So she did just that. Isabel walked up the steps and through the door to take her place at the table to vote on motions, share in conversation with old friends, and celebrate former neighbour Harry's 95th birthday with live music. Thanks Larry & Marj. Your musical presence has graced Wascana for nearly four years (and continues to do so). AND it is wonderful for Mum to hear you back in Abernethy as well. And at the BICC the day before that!

This opportunity for Isabel to re-engage with some former Abernethy community activities while living at the BICC was beyond our imagination a year ago!

Hanging Out in the Field

Oh, bliss!

Chaff in the hair.....sun and dust in the eyes....the smell of ripened grain everywhere.

Isabel had opportunity to be in the field chatting with the family operators, inspecting unshelled heads, and watching the grain augured into the bin.

There's her wave from the passenger seat.

Home again!

Bottling Summer

It is nearly 3 months since Isabel moved to the BICC. The time has flown; most nursing and therapy plans are in place; Isabel's Visitors' Book contains the names of new and old friends; and Isabel has frequently "signed out".

"Signed out" means "outings" away from her new home, and these outings have averaged 3 per week this last month ~ the valley, farms & a ranch, a coffee party in Abernethy, drives to see crops and combining. The summer has been long and hot and the opportunities to be out and about have been many.

One day in late August, Isabel and several friends who live at the BICC had two tea times discussing "preserving the garden". Varieties of pickles and preserves; canning pork and chicken; boiling sealers of peaches and plums; freezing rhubarb and blanching peas. The easiest and best methods of each were discussed at length including how technique changed over the decades.

These conversations included the many ways we bottle summer colours and flavours for the long winter months ahead.

Drives in the country on a summer day with a light sweater thrown around the shoulders are like "bottling summer" for the long winter days ahead.

But first, harvest and autumn and more sunny days to come. Bring on the sign-out sheet!