It has been a busy couple of days. The roof project continues and shingles rain from the roof as hammers tap away. It is hard work and the fellows are unfailingly pleasant. Lee bakes daily now - a bonus Our Ken thinks. The weather has been pleasant with warm days - a real mid-summer period in Nova Scotia. Hearing Linda speak of 103 F in Virginia does give one pause. Gardening is happening with the major activity being trimming back the heavy growth. Jungle-like conditions prevail and Our Ken is searching further afield for heavier trimming shears. The big news in the area was the lack of gas in Nova Scotia. Stations were without gas - in some cases since last week. Elmsdale ran out on Friday evening and had cars sitting at the tanks over night. Needless to say, plans of many were changed since driving was out of the question. There was simply a lack of planning at the refinery in NS that led to the shortage during a period of the highest demand of the summer. The owner of the company looking after the roofing project is stranded in Cape Breton and says that he hasn't been able to move for four days. All stations in the area are empty and have been for four days. He hopes to be able to get home tomorrow. An unusual challenge for NS. There is some thought being given to a few days sailing in August and a trip for a few days to the house in PEI.
Felicia has been off work for a few days so Ken and Lee managed the busy long week end. There were lots of visiting dogs to keep everyone company but fewer than had been predicted. Folks cancelled because of the gas shortage. Still, the big fellows arrived and departed. The Bernese, Boxer and Toller departed with a wave and happy greetings for their owners. Pippa had her spa day and looks particularly fetching. Little Maggie is here and in charge of everyone's world. Dylan is in residence and managing nicely. Buzz is missing the company that had joined him - a huge step forward for Buzz. He doesn't want to be with them but now is happy to have them in the area. Progress of a sort.
The house dogs would like the roofing project finished. That isn't happening soon. Charlotte looks at the ladder as she is marched to the exercise yard and appears to want to give it a shake. Piper notes that they can pound away - she is not leaving the house again. Patti is ignoring the entire business and says there is no project in her world. Marilla has heard a rumour that thunder storms are imminent but with the pounding of the roofing project, she is uncertain that thunder will bother her ever again. Dolly notes that any day a dog can lay in front of an air conditioning vent is a good day and everyone should give that some thought. Laurel remains unperturbed and is looking after her little family with great care, eating well and enjoying the food being prepared for her dining pleasure. Marguerite's puppies are growing quickly and doing well in their house breaking. We have heard from the folks in Pictou that they are delighted with the progress of Baylee and that she is having no accidents in the house. Susan and Shirley report that their little Liz is also house broken - amazing given the time the puppies have been in their homes and their age. We do start the house breaking process early - with the puppies looking to us to get them out as soon as we get to the great room in the morning. And this is a particularly bright litter - Marguerite is certainly among the brightest lights at Regalridge and Clint is a very focused and tractable fellow so the combination seems to mitigate to produce bright and biddable puppies - a great combination.
Food has been plentiful. With the appetites of the young roofers and the time of year, there has been a great deal of kitchen activity. Cherry jam has been made, to Ken's delight, and joins last week's apricot. The peach coffee cake has been polished off, replaced by a marble pound cake made with lovely bittersweet chocolate, banana and rum - not much to dislike there. Only the Norwich are underwhelmed. They are not fruit fans and have requested more vegetables less yucky fruit please. Our Ken brought in soem of the blueberry crop so Eton Mess was produced for an after dinner treat. There have been meals of haddock and wild rice, chicken salad with peach sauce, grilled apricot bread with fresh tomato and herb toppings, a beer can chicken (always a hit) with hodge podge and many additions to fill in the holes. Susan and Shirley's cheese has been polished off and we are hoping for a repeat visit to shore up the supplies. Still, our Ken is happy and well cared for and don't we all live for that..
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