Sunny skies at the end of summer

There was little summer early but these shorter September days are filled with sun and clear skies.  It is a good season for late crops - apples, squash and tomatoes in abundance to make up for the lack of beans, peas and greens.   Lee is back at Regalridge after a week in Toronto.  Regalridge is breathing easier as a result.  The house is back in a semblance of order, meals return to a schedule that makes sense and the extra pair of hands is welcome.  The revolving door continues to swing as Our Ken made off like a bandit for his Health Board meeting in Truro and a visit to the car dealership.  That's a treat for Our Ken.  The major news of the week is the addition of a raccoon to the property.  Our Ken is not amused.  The big fellow is stealing his suet cakes that are out for the birds, sitting in the tree at the deck and generally being a nuisance.  There is a live trap in his future, it seems.  Ken is thinking he would be a good pet for Chantelle and has his eye on a run to Kennetcook.

The kennel is quiet and easily manageable as is generally the case in September. 

The house dogs' numbers are down.  Misses Piper and Lori are in season in the kennel and not amused.  That leaves a reduced crew in the house to keep track of Lee.  Marilla rises to the occasion, of course, and Abigail is holding up the Norwich end of the equation.  Marguerite climbs Lee several times a day to look her in the eyes and be certain that is indeed the same person who left a week ago.  So far, it appears all is well and Lee hasn't been possessed.  The puppies are doing well.  The older two are delightful characters - wonderful personalities, housebroken and bright.  They love the world and all that is on offer.  Chantelle took the little female home for a visit and regaled everyone with stories of her confidence and ability to keep the Welsh in order.  Rumour has it that Scout was not sorry to see her depart and had a party when the tail lights of the car glowed red.  The baby puppies are at the adorable stage.  Their personalities have developed in the past week; each is now an individual and doing well.  Vaccinations are in their future and the beginning of departures will be later in the week.  That hardly seems possible. 

Meals are coming to a regular schedule.  Dinner was grilled chicken with a lime butter, new potatoes, fried green tomatoes and new carrots with homemade ice cream for dessert.  Our Ken was much happier than when Lee is out of town. 

Shelagh is doing well and the weather is great

The weather continues to be stellar.  With sunny skies and warm days, outdoor activity is at its height - that would not include roofing.  Our Ken continues to do the finish work post-summer of '11.  That includes low painting, removal of debris and a lot of riding on a tractor.  As fall approaches the early mornings bring fog and cool weather.  The nights are notably cool and the dogs delight in new games to herald the season.  Lee put together a lobster roll and saddled up Betsy to make a visit to Shelagh.  She was in great humour, having just received her new electric wheelchair.  The chair is comfortable, custom made and able to be managed with Shelagh's diminished motor skills.   Look out, everyone.  She is speedy, enjoys bashing about and now has far greater control of her life.  Arriving to a darkened room, it was difficult to even find a resident.  Shelagh was watching one of Chantelle's movies on her computer.  On hearing a new voice, without turning there was a pause in movement and a bellow "Lee, hello - where have you been?"  And she was in motion.  Over to the light switch to brighten the room, back to the computer to stop the film, back to visit all in the blink of an eye.  This in a day of use.  What a remarkable difference in a quality of life.  Before this, without the ability to move her chair manually, Shelagh was a prisoner to staff and visitors.  This chair is long overdue.  It was a very good visit, language skills notably improved and great effort being made to use difficult words (October and Australian finally are able to be managed and with great pride|).  Inez and Charles have been loyal visitors and there is concern on Shelagh's part that Chantelle and Ken have been missing in action.  That will have to be remedied.  There is an eye surgery scheduled for September 22 and Shelagh has expectations that this will again improve her situation incrementally. 

The kennel now holds Trebia, Sarah and the few Regalridge dogs there for particular reasons.  Scooter is in charge and proud of it. 

The house dogs are tickled with life.  There is less coming and going at the gates, the yard has been repatriated and there is a new person to play with.  James began work with Ken on Friday and is learning the ropes.  Patti has taught him her requirements and if he doesn't know anyone else yet, he knows the top dog.  May continues to improve slightly and is back to marching with Abigail, trolling in the kitchen and sitting for treats.  This is a totally unexpected move forward and makes us smile.  Piper is keeping a close eye on Lee, sensing an imminent departure.  Marguerite is living in her own space and delighting in her universe.  Marilla keeps well, stuffs a toy in Our Ken's mouth every morning and barrels through the rest of the day with Airedale abandon.  While the others may sort out paths around situations, Marilla shakes her head and plows straight through, damn the torpedoes.  The puppies thrive.  The housebreaking of the babies has begun in earnest and already showing success.  It is always surprising to see the fast progress and quick uptake as these little souls learn the ropes of their burgeoning lives.  We can learn so much. 

It was a 'last supper' as Lee packs for another trip.  Scallops were on the menu - fresh and plentiful, it was decided that they would star.  A lime butter sauce was made, fresh bread produced and a tomato salad with cream of balsamic with fig.  Corn on the cob was a simple addition.  The end note was the home made grapenut ice cream.  Our Ken was happy and sated - until he remembered the open suitcase.  And life continues to unfold. 

Clear skies and good temperatures herald a change in season

Good humour abounds when the weather is this great.  Clear skies, sunshine and cool days offer opportunity for any job imaginable.  Our Ken spent his day in the yards, finishing up after the roofing project, hauling away the bits piled in strategic corners of the property.  This activity was interspersed with television coverage of the 9-11 stories.  Lee spent the day in the kitchen managing the incoming crops.  The dogs were delighted.  With little coming and going at the gate, progress was actually noticeable.  Lily sent a note showing her position with Ian and Glenda - poor Darby.  Lily is firmly in charge and the blanket box has a new owner.  There was regular news from the week end shows with Logan doing particularly well.  He is in great condition and at the top of his game. 

The kennel is quiet.  Chopper and Capone are happily looking after their yard, keeping an eye on the fruit stand activity and generally looking after all that needs to be looked after.  Sarah and Trebia had a few half hearted races - Trebia notes that without Barrett it simply isn't the same.  Sarah has an eye out for escape hatches, her newest and best trick and one that Our Ken does not find amusing. 

The house dogs are well.  With a busy kitchen, much management of Lee happens.  Piper firmly planted herself in the midst of activity and refused to budge.  You just never know when a morsel will need to be tried.  Dolly found herself a corner that ensured quick access to the table, secure in the fact that meals would be well spaced and plentiful.  Marguerite, ever the opportunist, sailed through at strategic times with a quick up and down at each counter.  Her name is rarely offered up in quiet tones.  She laughs.  The puppies are well.  The babies are enjoying both the deck and the regular food offerings.  Routine is important to them and they applaud well timed meals.  They are growing and bright, beginning their house breaking and in awe of the birds that are returning to the feeders.  Each has tried to fly and has been disappointed in the lack of agility.  Wings will be on order for Christmas, we suspect. 

Meals were reflective of the harvest.  There were apple muffins early in the day.  Lunch was tomato soup with focaccia.  Dinner was a beer can chicken with potatoes, the first squash from the garden, baked heirloom tomatoes and a dessert of meringues made early on this dry day with home made grape nut ice cream, local peaches and blackberry coulis.  Our Ken was content and a visit from Chantelle only made that better.