City:
I have been doing catch up since coming back to the city on Thurs eve. I drove all the way back with an urge to turn around and go back, esp after getting into Quebec. So tired of dealing with French and the idiotic bureaucracy. YES! worse than anywhere else I have lived.

It was wonderful to catch up with dear friends and have a meal at my fav eatery, while also catching up with dear friend who is co-owner - for two hours! This after spending 3 hours with another friend and her artist husband in their art filled home on a small lake. After my long lunch, I had to rush to get to dinner almost an hour away, a wonderful time of conversation with a few friends. Then back a half hour to the concert in the park! The bandshell is made of hand squared timbers - done by the featured musician, father of my dinner host. I have known them 41 years! Tam and I hung out when she was about 11; now her daughter is 11. Daughters are Georgia (on my mind) and Sunny - for that song.

So I stayed at the hotel 3 nights. Quiet! And fresh air! On Thursday I had bf with my widowed friend in her beautiful, very secluded country home - full of art and antiques. She cried for two years but she is very busy in the community. "On the road again", I stopped at the School House Dining Room - just to see that it was still there!

I never caught up with the widower of my potting friend. My cell phone quit so if anyone tried to phone me... VERY frustrating.

I did feel better while I was there. R says that is only because I was away. I guess he has forgotten what real clean air is like.

Went to the mill on Friday. Did a bisque firing, went to cafe for music. We went to look at a house on Sat. I declared, "If you buy it, I will have nothing to do with it until it has a new roof, the trash has been collected into a dumpster and the weeds (chest high) have been cut." That is my absolute bottom line. It has good bones but ...........................Well, that's about all.

The trip away was good for me. Maybe not so great for the relationship. It was terrific to be among long time friends and feel part of a community where I could help out - in ENGLISH! I told R I want a pied a terre in Bancroft and he responds with, "Let's go look at the (house we went to see.)! I do want to be able to go back for a few days each month - until the snow flies. I shall start messaging friends in search of a place to rent - for less than the hotel.

R went back to the city on Sat and I rested, washed dishes, rested. Today, I did glazing and got a firing going. Almost all are white with the new dark turquoise glaze. Four blue/white mugs for an order. Also cut some weeds with scythe and weeded garden, parts of which are burgeoning! Loaded car and started to city with a lengthy stop at local restaurant where 3 friends were having a meal. I did not eat; I had two bowls of choc ice cream and strawberries at the mill - trying to cool off. So much for fitness, though I did work steadily for about 6 hours today. And I had a big bowl of lettuce and humus for lunch. And I have, so far, avoided eating lots of choc cookies, although the urge is strong and I may yet succumb. Also bought groceries on the way so I shan't have to do it tomorrow. NEed to go deal with cell phone problem - AGAIN!