Today has been a quiet day, perfect for a country Sunday. Let me fill you in on the last couple of days.
Mom and I went over to Nelson to visit with two of my aunts and three of my cousins on Friday afternoon. We got caught up a little and we had some interesting conversations, mostly about getting older. Every one of us in the room had passed 50 years ago, some of us decades ago. The visit wasn’t long enough but it was wonderful to see everyone in person, rather than on Facebook.
Mom and I had an interesting conversation about her rural roots on the drive there. She told me about her life as a small child first in Ymir and then in Salmo. As it always happens, the more she told me the more she remembered. I’ve always thought that we should talk to the remaining older members of the family and record their memories. The details of those interesting, long ago events fade over time and they are an integral part of our lives because they shaped the lives of the people who raised us. Besides, it’s always fascinating, I think, to hear about how life used to be. Some things about it would be great to experience and other things about it make me glad I didn’t live then. Later that evening my younger sister and her friend arrived. Mom hadn’t stayed up so I greeted them and got them organized for the night.
On Saturday my sister and her friend took Mom back to Nelson to shop. I puttered for the morning then went to have lunch with my in-laws. It too was a great visit. I love it when conversation flows easily and naturally. On my way home I stopped at the little, but well appointed grocery store in Fruitvale to pick up spinach for a salad for dinner. When I got home, everyone was back and we three “girls” sat outside, sipping summer drinks and enjoying the warm, quiet day and each other’s company. After dinner my sister handled the feeding of the horses all by herself while the rest of us did little chores. When Mom went to bed we all went upstairs to watch TV but we talked far more than we watched. Some interesting tidbits were shared and discussed, sometimes with passion. It was late when we finally decided to call it a night.
And that brings us to today. My sister got up to feed the horses while the rest of us tried to sleep in, but not Mom, she was up before all of us. The door to my room was closed so I didn’t hear the radio in the master bedroom come on. I woke up at about 6:50 and thought I could hear voices. As soon as I opened my door the conversation about the joys of hand bell playing on the CBC morning show hit me. I turned the radio off and fell back in bed. I didn’t really sleep but I did laze. I got up about 7:15, dressed and went downstairs.
My sister was downstairs with my Mom and both the kitchen and front doors were open. The cat was outside, off on his adventures, before receiving his morning insulin shot. I went outside and started calling him. He was not within range because he did not appear as quickly as usual. I wandered around the yard calling him for a bit and then went back inside. My sister was upset because she hadn’t realized we keep him in until after his shot. I reassured her that he would return but I was concerned. We all went outside to call and he finally came slowly up to the house from the neighbouring property. I picked him up and brought him in. He got his shot and ate and then headed back out on his adventures. My sister and her friend drove back to Nelson to do the shopping they were not able to do with Mom the day before. The only stores Mom likes to visit are book stores, and they had really wanted to shop.
With the cat gone, Mom in her room and girls off shopping, I puttered about the house. I vacuumed, did the dishes, ran a load of towels through the washing machine and then picked the raspberries. Mom and I had a little visit and then I headed up to have a nap. Yes indeed, other than the minor drama of the missing diabetic cat this has been a perfect quiet, sunny Sunday in the country. Next Sunday I’ll be sitting on the patio of the Boat House restaurant in Vancouver watching the Pride Parade. I hope that day will be perfect and sunny, but it definitely won’t be quiet!