A Busy Couple of Weeks

    I had to go back to my calendar to remind myself all that has happened recently.

  Last week I was out at meetings followed by lunch on Wednesday and Thursday. This week there was a bus trip on Tuesday to Niagara-on-the-Lake for some shopping therapy, a rather swanky lunch and a theatre show. It was "Damn Yankees" and was an excellent production. The choreography and performers were fantastic. Unfortunately I forgot my camera but took some photos with my phone so will try to upload them.  NOTL is a very scenic town and was thronged with tourists even at this time of the year, many from across the Niagara River in the U.S.

   On Wednesday I had to go for my driving test - it's a group written test (very simple) to make sure we are still fit to drive as we reach the grand old age of (gulp) 80! Today I had to stand in line for an hour to get my driving license validated and I got my vehicle registration renewed at the same time. So that's done for the next two years.

   So a pretty busy week or two as we are still playing tennis a couple of times a week, and Bridge club and my evening dance groups are getting going. Masks are still required for most activities but I have noticed people are a bit more relaxed about wearing them all the time.

   Things should be a little quieter in October although Thanksgiving and Hallowe'en are coming up. Nothing like having a busy schedule to make time fly!

Changes

    The weather has definitely turned autumnal. We've had rain, off and on, all day today and temperatures didn't get much above the mid 'teens. I brought in the last of my indoor plants that have been summering on my front porch. They have done well and look great for their holiday outdoors!

   I've also pulled up all but one of my tomato plants. They didn't do too well with the extreme heat this summer so no green tomato chutney this year. It's time to start putting the garden to bed but first I must fertilize the lawn and maybe put down some seed to cover the brown spots.

   Most of my winter activities are starting up this week so I have a busy few days ahead. We didn't get on the tennis court this morning because of the rain but we should get a few more games in before the nets come down next month. One year we kept playing into November!

End of a Season

    Notwithstanding that Thursday is the first day of Fall, I have my own way of noting the end of summer. It all happened this week.

        The beach towels were washed and put away until next year.

I had my last dip yesterday, the water was chilly but still refreshing after a long hike.

Today the winter cover went on so that's it until Victoria Day next year!

 

By My Bedside

    A new crop of books from the library - some recommended, some I have been awaiting for some time and a few that just serendipitously came to my attention.

   I have almost finished the Anne Perry book, her excellent plotting and machinations about to come to a satisfying conclusion. The Malcolm Gladwell book is for our next Book Club meeting and I'm afraid I am really struggling with it. The Louise Penny came from a friend and has also been left unfinished while others catch my fancy.

 I have been waiting for the Val McDermid book from the library for ages and can't wait to get cracking on it! The others, Amy and Lan and The Seven Sisters are unknown quantities but were recommended and sound like something I would enjoy. It is so great to have sources of good reads!