I gave up on that post; you're gonna have to settle for this one.

I had plans.  All sorts of plans to write one of those month-by-month summation of the year past posts.  

I would have written the post as much for me as for you, as I think you know by now that I do not remember my own life.  There are no pictures in my head to help me remember.  When Sandy or Pat come for their annual visit, I pull up photos on my computer from their last visit to show me what we did.  Otherwise when one of them arrives I might declare "just wait till I take you to Hall's Harbour, you're gonna love it!".   To which they of course will respond, "Oh I loved Hall's Harbour when we went there last year."

Exhibit A:  Pat at Hall's Harbour.  Tide in.

Exhibit B: Sandy at Hall's Harbour.  Tide out.

 If I haven't taken a photo of it, it never happened.  And even then when I look at a photograph, it just proves that it happened, but my mind doesn't fill in anything surrounding that photo.  No conversations or memories of other things we did... worse still ... no feelings.

The Old Burying Ground in downtown Halifax

Last March I flew to Ontario to visit family and friends.   I'd booked the flight many months in advance.  My timing was either appalling or fortuitous.  I was due to arrive on March 12 and leave on March 19, BUT Covid-19 became "a thing" mid-visit. Still,  I got to see but not touch many folk I love and care about.

A message from Porter airlines telling me to "return home immediately" meant that I flew home two days early. So I got to spend my 70th birthday doing something I love more than just about anything; flying.

Birthday lunch at 25,000 feet !

So, no annual visit last year from my chums in 2020 and let's face it, they won't be able to come again in 2021.

And it's been a year since I was able to celebrate birthdays with Sara and Kelly.

Daily walks in the woods with my dogs are still my sanity savers.

Not to forget gardening, and exploring this glorious little province.

Happily I can still get together with a friend from a distance.

And life goes on.

I'm not sure what I set out to tell you.   

Life is different and the same.  I think more than anything I miss hugging.  Covid has changed the distance between us but not between our hearts.  Sounds schmaltzy but it's true.  

When it's all done in a year or so will we appreciate so much more the things we took for granted before or will we quickly forget ?

I'm so glad spring is coming.  How about you ?

A hole where a cat used to be.

Where did the "Rainbow Bridge" concept  appear from ?   When someone's companion animal dies they say it crosses the Rainbow Bridge and will be waiting for their human when they die.

If the Rainbow Bridge exists, will the calves and chickens and pigs we have eaten be waiting for us too, but with a less welcoming demeanor than our beloved pets ?

I ask because this afternoon I took dear old Roswell to the vet and only one of us returned home.  

Snoozing three days ago in front of the fire

Over the last few days Roswell showed obvious signs of having difficulty getting enough air into his lungs.  His thin sides heaved from the effort.

The vet listened to his heart and lungs, informed me he was in heart failure and said "It's time".

I suspected when I went that that would be the outcome, but part of me hoped...  

It's at times like this that you realize what a painful thing love can be.  That silly sweet pain in the ass cat had no idea that as I held him and stroked him in his fuzzy blanket that he was about to die.  I stroked him and cried quiet tears.  My head still aches from those tears and tears.  At the time I could see how he fought to breathe -- and then he didn't. It's rare to see the reality of death.  Here now.  Now gone.  GONE not to be called back by all the love in the world. Comforting words spoken.  "Just sleep sweetie.  Just go to sleep".   Then wishing those eyes would open and gaze upon you one more time but knowing that you would not wish him back into this realm the way he was.  

Yup.   Love hurts.

Still ...

I missed his shrill "meow" as I walked back in the door; tonight I'll miss his nudges as he demands I lift the bed sheets so that he can track his litter covered paws into my bed and I'll miss his painful snaggle tooth scraping across my cheek asking for attention.

I know Roswell is out of pain and he didn't suffer fear about death.  That is left to me.  To wonder where my little friend is now and where I will go when it is my turn.

And if we will see each other again.

What do you think ?

What ? Sandy AGAIN ?

As I may have mentioned in the past, you know someone is a true friend when they visit you in Nova Scotia in FEBRUARY !

My good chum Sandy just did that.  AGAIN.

Though we did have a couple of cold days the weather really was rather unseasonable. Not once did we have to worry about snowy roads.

Though I must confess that the day I dragged her up Oland Hill it was BITTER cold.

So after our walk we treated ourselves to a yummy lunch at the Heron Restaurant and Tea Room at MacDonald House.

Sandy had the Chowder ...

We watched the waves rolling in on the beach below while we ate,

and planned what we'd do the next day.

I heart Hartlen.

Hartlen Point is five minutes away from my house: a mere 4 km up Shore Road. In spite of its nearness, most folk in Eastern Passage haven't been there.

Perhaps they're put off by the sign on the gate ?

They shouldn't be.  Even though it's Department of National Defense land, the Military Police don't mind us walking there.

At this time of year I would recommend that you wear rubber boots, as the paths can be pretty soggy.

Eastern Passage is windy, and Hartlen Point being located even closer to the open ocean, is windier still, so be sure to wear a good coat, gloves and ear muffs.

Come look at this.  ( Gently clutching your arm and tugging you closer to the cliff edge).

Look down there.

There's been a lot of rain in the last few days, and that combined with recent storm surges, has lead to a huge amount of erosion along the cliff edge.

Paths that followed the cliff-edge last week, now end up in mid air, so pay careful attention to where you're walking.

Far in the distance you can see the cliffs past Cow Bay.  They may even be as far off as Lawrencetown.  Super view, eh ?  Let's bring a pair on binoculars next time.

Why don't you throw the ball for Wendy and Trey.

From a small rise you can see past Devil's Island to Sambro Head on the far side of the harbour.  See there, a freighter laden with shipping containers (far left of image), heading out across the ocean.  Where do you think it's going ?

Time to head back to the car.  I've enjoyed walking with you.  Let's do this again soon.

What a difference a day makes.

Yesterday was mild, so I took Wendy and Trey for a walk to Rainbow Haven.  I haven't been there often enough lately.  Not sure why.

The ocean has been very loud these past few days.  High winds far out at sea and the in-coming tide push the waves  higher and farther in.  I was glad I was wearing my rubber boots as one second I was standing on a wide expanse of beach, and the next I was ankle deep in water.  

The day started out misty and foggy, but mild.  Oh, so mild !

The front part of Rainbow Haven consists of a long beach that is reached by two scenic boardwalks. In the summer the building in the background (in the video below) houses a canteen, lifeguard quarters and washrooms.

What a difference a day makes !

Today dawned much colder and bit snowy.   We headed to the "Secret Beach", an unnamed hidden beach, marked only by a gravel lay-by, that is even closer to my home than Rainbow Haven.

Many folk in Eastern Passage don't even know that this lovely spot exists -- and I'm not telling them !   That'll teach 'em not to read my Blog.  ;-)  

A lovely slope, criss-crossed with easy-to-walk paths present an impressive view of the ocean.

Here, let me show you:

You don't blame me for keeping it secret, do you ?