To Waterloo

LM and I LOVE being on the road, and even better, exploring new territory.  When the yearning for a visit to my sister, Margaret, came over us, the big question was do we search for a new route or take our tried and true favorite?  Our consensus brought us to Waterloo our very favorite way, and back home on an entirely new route.  On June 2 we left LM's house in Harwich at 3 am, the car perfectly packed with all we needed and then some. Of course there was fishing equipment stowed carefully away, just in case. It was raining heavily when we set out, but my adept partner drove us safely all the way to the Canadian border at Cape Vincent, NY, where we took the little ferry across the St. Lawrence Seaway to Wolfe Island. Before we crossed, though, we took time to drive around Cape Vincent for some of our favorite views of the Seaway and beautiful homes in this sleepy little hamlet. Our drive to that point had taken us through what must be some of the most beautiful farmland in this country.  Miles and miles of working dairy farms, and green fields that go on forever.  (We'd accessed this territory by taking Rte 12 north from Utica off of the NY State Thruway.)  The farmers were busy turning and planting. Most if it seemed to be corn.

 Pulling up to the tollgates at the end of the MA Turnpike.....we love all the trucks....still raining heavily.

 Crossing the Hudson River in the fog.

 We came across this Swiss-like ski resort in northern NY State - outside Watertown....all surrounded by farm land. It was pristine and had many chalets.

 Mennonnite or Amish farms...the clouds were beginning to lift a bit.

 Fields of corn everywhere!

 One of our favorite houses in NY

Countless barns, in all states of repair, were along the way. We love the red ones, of course.

Waiting to drive aboard the Horne's Ferry at Cape Vincent....just holds a handful of cars. As we drove up to get in line for the ferry we realized our car was becoming covered with insects. They looked very similar to mosquitoes but we were told they were not biters.  It was impossible to step outside the car without having your face covered with these pests. When we got over to Wolfe Island they were there, as well. There we ran in to a major ferry delay in getting to Kingston, Ontario. We had to sit in the car, windows closed, for almost 2 hours to get a ferry. It was a huge crowd and we were so relieved to finally board for the second leg of the journey that took us to beautiful Kingston. From there we drove secondary roads west in Prince Edward County, Ontario. It is the most beautiful area with views along the north shore of Lake Ontario, and gorgeous lilacs blooming along the route.  This route takes us on another ferry ride at Glenora, over to Picton.  It feels like being in Ireland to me!
Our destination that day was Wellington and the Lakeside Village Inn. We've stayed at this charming little place several times and always love the peace and beauty after a long day of driving.

Our own sweet porch overlooking Lake Ontario.

The view from our room

Photos before dinner......such lovely memories

The incredibly wonderful LM

Whenever we are in Wellington, breakfast at The Tall Poppy is a must (at the red sign)

Looking outside from inside the Tall Poppy.

Wellington is filled with some very sweet old houses that are lovingly cared for. This is my favorite!!

We walked around after breakfast the next morning and I visited a quilter's studio called "Maggie Mae's" creations. It was lovely talking shop with the proprietor, and I purchased this batik handbag.

Lovely Prince Edward County lilacs.

From here we were off to Waterloo and Margaret's house......to be continued!  Thanks for coming along so far.

LIFE

Today I have fallen into a blue hole....so sad, and barely enough energy to see to Teddy and get through to this late part of the day.  Loss hit me hard in the soul, and I know it is simply life, and that othe's are dealing with this on an even grander scale, but seeing a dear friend, my age, who is coming to the point where illness has diminished her to 80lbs of skeleton, and disability, has me face to face with the norm of aging. It hurts, and I just cannot define it any further.

Amidst all the life experiences of the past year, I have managed to spend a lot of time with friends who've been with me through thick and thin, some since my childhood. Among them, is my friend, Priscilla. We were reunited about 5-6 years ago, when I discovered that she was living in a town very near me. We'd been close friends through parts of grade school and all of high school and beyond, through the years when we both had 3 children, all the same ages and genders in the same order.  We were both married numerous times, and had some very tough times.  Finding each other again, made it seem like we'd never lost touch. We both still love cats, and and have vivid recall of all our silly teen year chatter, boyfriends, etc.  Priscilla's had some major health problems and come through them with the tough and positive spirit she has always maintained, but now she faces leaving the beloved family lakeside cottage she inherited from her parents, and moving to accommodations in her daughter's home in New Hampshire. Last September she had major surgery to remove an aneurism, and  has been recovering at a snail's pace. I've visited her regularly in the hospital and the rehab center where she remained until just 2 months ago.  She cheered me on through my recent knee replacement from her rehab bed, and we had some great laughs, but setback after setback has prevailed. It has come to the point where she cannot be alone.  This move means she must surrender her beloved cat, Pepper, who, right now, has been very busy delighting in having his "Mum" back home after her 6 month absence and care from others.

Priscilla holds in her heart close memories of my parents, both gone, and I am sure that is casting the blue shadow on my heart, too. She's one of the precious few who hold those memories I treasure, and it seems like a countdown to more loss is underway.

 As we caught up on the past several months, while looking out over the lake today, I could feel the choke of grief starting to consume me. I hated that, as I wanted to feel Priscilla's strength, and practical optimism that she is doing the right thing. Due to her physical weakness, we cut our visit short, I promising to return again very soon, and I came directly home in a daze, forgoing all the planned errands of the day, as my body felt like collapsing. 

My friends are all so precious to me, but life will take these relationships where it wants, and, once again, as I have so many times in the past, especially this year, must adapt.  

Stopping By

We are back from our delightful trip to Ontario, Canada to visit my sister, Margaret and family, and , I PROMISE, I am working on a post with lots of photos of all the beauty we shared.

Meanwhile, I came home and dove right in to staying on top of Teddy's schedule, and making sure he is happily where supposed he is to be each day.  Kindergarten comes to an end on Monday 1/22 with a half day.  He has had such an incredible year of growth, fun learning, and has most certainly begin to grasp the concept that for many years to come, he will have homework most every night.  Settling in to that rhythm was not an easy task.  He's matured in so many ways and it is a privilege for me to be a major part of this journey with my sweet Teddy. After a summer filled with day camp, he will begin 1st grade, and his teacher has given us a hefty list of things to encourage his readiness.  We're working on table manners, reading, writing through journaling, counting money, +and much more. 
There's lots of fun mixed in, too. We've been working on gardens, and he went to a PBS Kratts event last weekend with his Dad. Seeing The Kratts is his favorite TV show, that was a thrill. Next week Teddy will go with his Mom, Alison, to visit her parents summer home in NH.  That means time on the lake, driving Pepere's golf cart and much more. We're also keeping up with our bird watching and writing down the sightings.  Right here at home, we have a veritable bird show in the back yard all the time, not to mention all the other little critters to spy on.  The resident woodchuck ate all Teddy's vegetable garden.  Oh well, he's fat and happy.

Now that I am feeling so much better, and in command of my new knee, my time has been filled up with fitness sessions, many more chores, and working on quilts, too.  The weekends are spent with my darling, LM, and we've accomplished many things at his house that had been awaiting my strength.  Feels so good!

Well, that is a little catch-up until I finish working on the trip post. Off to get Teddy and go to the library.

Memorial Day weekend found LM teaching Teddy to fish and bait the hook with live worms....they had such fun. T had announced that he had no intention of touching the worms but he got in to it!

Love and peace to all!!