Beaver:

The very small Quaker meeting in Montreal is welcoming these Congolese Quakers who have come to us after 7 years in a refugee camp in Kenya! Getting them outfitted for a Montreal winter - 3 youngsters! And helping them find their place in a foreign land! At least they speak French!

By tomorrow afternoon, Dan will have completed de-cluttering the back/back shed - new leak-free roof and a floor we won't fall through! Then I can place the plastic bins in there for organized/labelled storage that I can access easily. This work is greatly de-cluttering my finances but also my mind! The whole place looks much better and is much more useful. Even the outhouse is suitable for storage and has a window so we can look at the beaver pond when using it. Using it will help keep clutter from the septic system. It is now ready for interior paint -white! when I return from Quebec - and have a warm enough day.

The last firewood arrived today; I will have that to stack when I get back. I feel ready for winter! THAT alone de-clutters the brain! I still need to do a little more re plants and clay but have a couple more weeks to arrange it - before the interior of house freezes when I am away. Was a lovely day today. Parsley (lots!) is drying in the studio; it gets VERY hot - 80-90 with solar gain. Basil in the house. I cleared the ornamental annuals out of the raised strawberry bed; the strawberry plants are doing their own cluttering - wonderfully! - the red verbena was beautiful all summer but now is compost. Lantana died in first frost; verbena still healthy! Canna and dahlias pulled.