We are driving to Miami to go on a cruise. Well, not a cruise but cruises. Since October we have been living in a beautiful AirBNB in Scarborough near Katie's home. We were to stay for 10 weeks, then we expanded it to 14 weeks and finally added another two weeks so that it would be a total of 16 weeks. Staying this long would allow us to do our drywall inspection at the new house and then head south for a bit before we take possession. So we are driving to Miami.
This morning we woke up in downtown Savannah - walking distance to the historical centre of the city. It is really quite a fun place. Savannah has an "open carry" law - no, not guns, but you can carry up to 16 ounces of beer in an unconcealed plastic glass. My kinda town - beer to go - you can drink a beer will shopping in the clothing stores, you can bring an unfinished beer into a restaurant to have dinner. Very civilized.
Dinner at the Flying Monk. They had me at "Succulent"
2017 has been a heck of a year. Here are a couple of websites that have helped me maintain my sanity.
For Glenn's viewing pleasure:
I thought that I would throw in a little food pornography for these cold and windy days.
These are photos of our AirBNB. Carol and I are living here while the house in New Hamburg is being built. It is a really comfortable unit. It is not much bigger than what one could built using a shipping container but it has been very well done by the owner. Speaking of the owner they are husband, wife and a teenage son. I have been teasing my own family that we have been adopted as new grandparents by the owner's family and that we are weighing our Christmas offers. Of course I am joking, the units are completely separate and we seldom see or interact with them. There is a lot of discussion about AirBNB in Toronto at this time. We are very happy and thankful that this unit has been available to us. I hope the various governments do not screw everything up.
I think that I see Dave standing on his head to take the picture. A true friend.
Originally when this photo came to me it was upside down and no matter what I tried to do to show the picture upright it would be upside down. Now for some reason it has righted itself and I can not display it upside down. What is going on?
Carol and I went to see Catherine MacLellan at Hugh's Room last night. It was a beautiful show. She only sang songs written by her father and between songs she showed photographs and talked about him. Her research covered his life from age 6 until his death. She performed about 20 of his songs, wonderfully accompanied by lead and bass. Our seats were one row back - a very up close and personal experience. Hugh's Room is the best venue in Toronto.
I am not certain why the neighbours have erected the orange fence. Are they disrespecting us already? Wait til they see what we really have planned.
It was a dark and stormy night; the rain fell in torrents - except at occasional intervals, when it was checked by a violent gust of wind which swept up the streets (for it is in Collingwood that our scene lies), rattling along the housetops, and fiercely agitating the scanty flame of the lamps that struggled against the darkness.
Aside from rather ugly weather this evening, Carol and I are having a moment to think about what we have done. We are moving away from many kind and wonderful people. For the past few days we have been extended every kindness. Friday we were invited to a gathering of a surprising number of Blue Shores residents at Collingwood Brewery and then again at Barb's home where we drank too much, devoured pizza, and in general acted like adolescents. It was all great fun. We will miss all of our friends in Collingwood - but never fear, we will return.
The US have their NRA and they have a lot of political clout. There is a new rather sinister movement building in Canada that is suggesting that we need to arm ourselves too:
- Do you ever drive by yourself at night? = Do you walk the dog or exercise when the sun is down?
- Do you have a family to protect?
- If something were to happen, would you be prepared?
The truth is, most people underestimate the importance of owning a great flashlight. And these days, in a world where terrorism, and natural disasters are becoming the norm, it's more important than ever to have the right tactical gear.
Oh Well
Mike and Nancy Dillon's cottage, Woodland Beach circa 1976.
