Dupont:

Set Tuesday as departure for Beaver and its unpolluted (almost) air. Taking a box of greenware that will need to wait til next bisque. I hope I can make a full load, esp plates for Erica, to bisque and glaze in the two weeks I can be there. Plan to be back for R's 2nd shot, paying heed to my son's admonition not to plan anything for the next day.

Mine is not until 27 July unless they decide to shorten the wait. However, things in ON are so bad I wonder how they decide anything. I hope R can take a couple days to go with me on that trip. I could just tough it out but am concerned that I only have cell service if I am able to sit at the window; I could sit in the car all day! We'll see.

Here, I am still finding the energy to finish the garden - plant seeds in the remaining space. I end up pulling weeds until I need a break. But rain is predicted for tomorrow and Monday so the time is today! Most of the frosted-last-month geraniums are coming back from the bottom. I potted a bunch of rooted Kalanchoe shoots this am and one from the nice coleus; now I have 3 from the cutting I swiped a couple years ago. The tiny pear tree just produced new growth! and I saved 5 seeds from the Bosc pears I sauteed for R yesterday. Wisdom is to not try to start them until I get back. There is more than enough for R to care for while I am away. OH, darn! I still have to use the pansies and lobelia which are languishing in their tiny pots. They look very pretty on the front steps but need room to grow. Next energy spurt...


Interesting to hear about SRS' neighbour's apt. Beaver is 600sf. Exc kitchen, neither too big nor too small -for me, small BR and bath, LR is fine for a few people, dining area is for 2. Big difference is propinquity to out of doors: back deck, studio, tool/kiln room and the two sheds and beautiful screened room in the "back 40". Plenty of room - to breath, to do things.

The next door neighbour hailed me for a chat yesterday - just as I was preparing to plant seeds. She does this in the decent weather and it is hard work for me as I struggle to find some French words for her, I guess for her also but perhaps she is lonely. I sensed a certain sadness as she pointed out the various trees she has planted in her 40 years here- large oaks and lindens.

I doubt I am projecting; I know how I would feel/have felt selling a property into which I/she has put so much energy and now she no longer has the energy to keep doing it. She will be moving the chickens to the other end when it becomes necessary. Then I shall miss them. And her shed with a canopy of grape vines. I try to not think about it but... If the new owner pulls out the cedar hedge... My dog walking neighbour designed and had built a lovely house with picture window looking at the river then a house was built next door and they look at a brick wall. I shall continue to not dwell on it.