Going Down to Maggie’s Farm - Aug 4, 2018
Ah Sudbury. Where the woman “woo-hoo” loud and proud at GoodLife (GL) group fitness classes and the men… Hmm, I don’t know what they do. There are not a lot of men in BodyPump at the Southridge GL. I expect part of this is that they feel intimidated. These Northern gals are substantial and lift weights the equivalent of war canoes.
Why am I talking about Sudbury? Because we just got back from a fantastic seven day holiday there. How did Laur and I survive in a hotel room together for seven days? We didn’t! Some friends of ours who live in the south end – our old stompin’ ground – offered us the chance to rent their two bedroom apartment while we they were away in July, and I jumped at the chance. And my goodness, what a wonderful space! Large balcony to sit on, access to Lake Nepahwin to swim in, a few blocks from my beloved 465 Loach’s Rd., and a 5 minute walk to GoodLife Southridge. (Though, I confess, I drove.)
And it was great to fill my cup with those wide open spaces, blue skies (except when it was raining – which it did a fair bit,) Northern air, “rocks, trees and lakes,” and visiting friends and family. I actually had to draw up a spreadsheet to figure out how we could see everyone and everything – and I ran out of space. No worries, we’re returning in September for another week. As well as visiting, we want to do some hiking to get us ready for our trip to S. Korea in October and to Arizona in November.
On Thursday, I got to hang out with two women I used to meet up with regularly at Buzzy Browns (BBs) – Pia and Elle. (Not their real names.) I am not sure how we met – it may have been through cats. We three are all crazy cat ladies. But it seems like we have always known each other. See https://sunshineandapurpledress.weebly.com/a-nurse-a-lawyer-and-a-social-worker-walk-into-a-bar---may-26-2018.html
I met up with Pia at BBs and as always, our conversation was a mix of thoughtful comments and riotous snorting – mostly the latter. So much so that we had to hush each other from time to time. I don’t really worry about getting thrown out – Pia is a (retired) lawyer and could likely defend us. But I’m always aware that there may be folks trying to have a heart to heart talk or solve the world’s problems…
Next, Pia drove us out to Elle’s farm. Pia cautioned me that Elle had had a severe stroke and was recovering and might not recognize me and might not be able to talk. Much to both of our surprise, when Pia and I arrived, Elle greeted us at the door and said, "You're back! And we're having lunch together!" OK, we'd eaten but Elle had her lunch to tackle. I petted Maggie – a cat that used to be mine but preferred farm life – who had stretched out on the kitchen table, and Pia poked at Elle to keep her eating. Elle had lost some weight – Pia and I had both put on a little weight. We said to her, “The weight you lost has gone to us – and we want to return it. Keep eating!” How we chuckled.
The three of us used to refer to each other as Macbeth's witches - not because we're witches but because we used to snigger, after our Buzzy Brown lunch - “Where shall we three meet again - at Small Things, Buzzy's, or the Farm?" OK, not quite that - but close enough.
We chatted for a few hours like no time had passed at all. Elle is - like my mom - the argument for staying active and having a variety of interests. It protects the body and the brain.
I wished Elle and Pia lived closer. But if I lived in Suds, I'd want my St. Catharines and Toronto and Belleville and London "framily" to live closer. I really wish I was a good sleeper (and easy to live with.) Laur and I could live in a trailer and spend two weeks in St. Cats, two weekends in Belleville/Toronto, and almost two weeks in Suds. :) For once Laur is happy that I am an insomniac (and difficult to live with.)
And truly, I know how fortunate we are. We get to live in St. Cats in a wonderful apartment in a fabulous community and we can visit Suds for a week at a time anytime we want. Or at least, anytime we can find a two bedroom apartment to rent. From the Garden City we can easily see our fam in TO and Belleville and London. Oh, and did I mention we’re not so far from an airport that takes us to S. Korea to visit kids and hike, and Arizona to visit kids-at-heart and hike.
I love this picture of Elle, Pia and me. Yes, I realize I have a lampshade growing out of my head in this picture. Elle's dear friend – who was leaving as we were arriving - offered to take the picture again, but I find my ineptitude re posing to be one of my best features. :) After all, my friend Pia said she loves the company of marginalized people the most.
Why am I talking about Sudbury? Because we just got back from a fantastic seven day holiday there. How did Laur and I survive in a hotel room together for seven days? We didn’t! Some friends of ours who live in the south end – our old stompin’ ground – offered us the chance to rent their two bedroom apartment while we they were away in July, and I jumped at the chance. And my goodness, what a wonderful space! Large balcony to sit on, access to Lake Nepahwin to swim in, a few blocks from my beloved 465 Loach’s Rd., and a 5 minute walk to GoodLife Southridge. (Though, I confess, I drove.)
And it was great to fill my cup with those wide open spaces, blue skies (except when it was raining – which it did a fair bit,) Northern air, “rocks, trees and lakes,” and visiting friends and family. I actually had to draw up a spreadsheet to figure out how we could see everyone and everything – and I ran out of space. No worries, we’re returning in September for another week. As well as visiting, we want to do some hiking to get us ready for our trip to S. Korea in October and to Arizona in November.
On Thursday, I got to hang out with two women I used to meet up with regularly at Buzzy Browns (BBs) – Pia and Elle. (Not their real names.) I am not sure how we met – it may have been through cats. We three are all crazy cat ladies. But it seems like we have always known each other. See https://sunshineandapurpledress.weebly.com/a-nurse-a-lawyer-and-a-social-worker-walk-into-a-bar---may-26-2018.html
I met up with Pia at BBs and as always, our conversation was a mix of thoughtful comments and riotous snorting – mostly the latter. So much so that we had to hush each other from time to time. I don’t really worry about getting thrown out – Pia is a (retired) lawyer and could likely defend us. But I’m always aware that there may be folks trying to have a heart to heart talk or solve the world’s problems…
Next, Pia drove us out to Elle’s farm. Pia cautioned me that Elle had had a severe stroke and was recovering and might not recognize me and might not be able to talk. Much to both of our surprise, when Pia and I arrived, Elle greeted us at the door and said, "You're back! And we're having lunch together!" OK, we'd eaten but Elle had her lunch to tackle. I petted Maggie – a cat that used to be mine but preferred farm life – who had stretched out on the kitchen table, and Pia poked at Elle to keep her eating. Elle had lost some weight – Pia and I had both put on a little weight. We said to her, “The weight you lost has gone to us – and we want to return it. Keep eating!” How we chuckled.
The three of us used to refer to each other as Macbeth's witches - not because we're witches but because we used to snigger, after our Buzzy Brown lunch - “Where shall we three meet again - at Small Things, Buzzy's, or the Farm?" OK, not quite that - but close enough.
We chatted for a few hours like no time had passed at all. Elle is - like my mom - the argument for staying active and having a variety of interests. It protects the body and the brain.
I wished Elle and Pia lived closer. But if I lived in Suds, I'd want my St. Catharines and Toronto and Belleville and London "framily" to live closer. I really wish I was a good sleeper (and easy to live with.) Laur and I could live in a trailer and spend two weeks in St. Cats, two weekends in Belleville/Toronto, and almost two weeks in Suds. :) For once Laur is happy that I am an insomniac (and difficult to live with.)
And truly, I know how fortunate we are. We get to live in St. Cats in a wonderful apartment in a fabulous community and we can visit Suds for a week at a time anytime we want. Or at least, anytime we can find a two bedroom apartment to rent. From the Garden City we can easily see our fam in TO and Belleville and London. Oh, and did I mention we’re not so far from an airport that takes us to S. Korea to visit kids and hike, and Arizona to visit kids-at-heart and hike.
I love this picture of Elle, Pia and me. Yes, I realize I have a lampshade growing out of my head in this picture. Elle's dear friend – who was leaving as we were arriving - offered to take the picture again, but I find my ineptitude re posing to be one of my best features. :) After all, my friend Pia said she loves the company of marginalized people the most.