Feb. 1990 - I am glad that Prince is going to be able to eat grass like a real horse. What is he now?
June 1990 - The oldest neighbour’s son was appointed a judge. It seems only yesterday you were all playing in the sandbox.
Aug. 1990 - I’m in the market for a new mixer. After more than 40 years of faithful service my old clunker is about to give up.
Nov. 1990 - I’ll get you the ballpoint pen you asked for but I am not sure what you want - something between a 29 cent Bic and a $400 gold?
Jan. 1991 - These cold nights I’m wallowing in my Xmas bathtub gin. You do have the ability to find original presents.
Nov. 1991 - Lachute social life has kept me busy.
May 1992 - It was my turn to entertain the “girls” of the bridge club. I must admit I didn’t bring out your bottle of wine but served one from the local depanneur. (cheaper!)
July 1992 - I sometimes feel that I’m the only one of our group still on my feet.
June 1, 1993 - Last week I had a disaster. My washing machine gave up after only 29 years of faithful service.
Nov. 21, 1993 - I’ve survived 2 Christmas bazaars. Both did very well especially the home baking. People rush to the table as though they were starving and will pay any price for homemade goodies.
Dec. 6, 1993 - Lachute is ablaze with Christmas lights even on Princess Street. So as to not look like Mrs. Scrooge I’m stringing lights around the window in the porch. So far there has been no white stuff to shovel.
Jan. 18, 1994. - Just a short note to tell you that in spite of what you may hear, we are not completely frozen.
This Thursday we are acquiring some culture at the Ottawa Little Theatre.
April 13, 1994 - I’m the first on our street to have flowers so at long last it’s starting to look more like spring.
Sept. 24, 1994 - I hope Prince’s tennis elbow has improved. Has he been playing at Wimbledon?
Oct. 16, 1994 - Mme. Stitch’s services are available to line your curtains.
Nov. 15, 1994 - It should be a fairly easy job for Mme. Stitch.
June 6, 1995 - I decided to write and tell you what like is like on Poste 3 instead to trying to phone. (She fell and broke her leg while crossing Main Street and was in the local hospital for 10 weeks.)
June 11, 1995 - I have been fortunate in having lots of visitors who bring me the latest gossip, reading materials and crossword puzzles.
June 17, 1995 - We are encouraged to wear our own clothes. I have a list (en anglais) which reminds me of lists for camp or school.
June 25, 1995 - I’m anxious to get home and see how my weeds are doing.
June 30, 1995 - The events of my non busy day are 3 square meals and my session with the physiotherapist. I’ve never been away from home for so long and I’m anxious to get back to my own four walls.
Aug. 15, 1995 - The stage has been reached in my recuperation where I’m forgetting where I left my cane.
Nov. 5, 1995 - Municipal elections. It is time to turf out the present bunch who are wasting the taxpayers’ hard earners dollars.
Mar. 27, 1996 - There is no sign of any tulips or croci yet. They will probably spring up when I’m not looking.
I expect to hear of your winning the Jaguar in your hospital tirage and look forward to a ride in it.
Feb. 2, 1997 - I’m sending you my bonus package of seeds as my soil doesn’t like root crops and Prince needs fresh carrots.
May 1, 1997 - Vicki’s grass is turning green. It’s too soon for the famous Ottawa tulips to appear. Mine are up but a long way from blooming.
On Sunday Vicki and I visited a new gigantic book store called Chapters. I was so overwhelmed by the huge selection that I didn’t buy anything.
Aug. 12, 1997 - My tomatoes are disappointing. I think I sprayed too much. By all reports the plants I gave away are doing famously.
Sept. 5, 1997 - My sad tomato crop is coming to an end and my broccoli refuses to broccle. Better luck next year.
Jan. 19, 1998 - (after the big ice storm) The lower garden looks like a disaster area.
We have resigned from the curling association because of so few players. It means that we are not eligible for the Olympic team.
Mar. 4, 1998 - The spring cleanup will be a big job as well as about a cord of wood to pile.
Sept. 22, 1998 - I’ve started the sad job of preparing the garden for winter. We can expect frost to finish it any day now.
Oct. 14, 1998 - (trip to Ottawa) I’m looking for something new to wear for the busy social season in Lachute.
How are your mice? After some time away mine have returned hoping to spend the winter in my kitchen drawer.
Apr. 24, 1999 - I like this time of year in the garden when nothing has gone wrong so far like earwigs eating my seedlings.
May 19, 1999 - The earwig traps are armed and ready for intruders.
July 22, 1999 - The earwig traps are catching lots of the nasties. YUK.
Sept. 11, 1999 - I’ll arrive with my umbrella and raincoat and won’t notice the weather.
Nov. 13, 1999 - This morning we had our first sight of the white stuff.
May 6, 2000 - The porch is full of plants who are anxious to move outside.
Aug. 10, 2000 - The weeds are winning the battle to take over the garden.
Vicki is coming for the Labour Day weekend. I hope she gives me a ride in her new chariot.
Oct. 22, 2000 - I hope Prince’s social life is satisfactory and he is well. My love to the three of you. (Kathi, Cliff and Prince)
Nov. 5, 2000 - So far I’ve been unable to track down a cord of wood but I’ll keep trying. I want to be prepared for the next ice storm.
Feb. 26, 2001 - Yesterday we had freezing rain so I didn’t venture out in consideration of my new fenders. The poor thing is badly in need of a wash which will wait until spring.
Mar. 19, 2001 - My Bird of Paradise has one gorgeous bloom with 2 more starting to open. I hope they last after waiting 13 years.
I have decided that the time has come to retire from curling.
Vicki is coming on the 3rd for her birthday weekend. It’s the big 50 coming up.
July 12, 2001 - Vicki took me to Carling Lake for lunch. We sat outside on the terrace and enjoyed a delicious meal with a yummy dessert.
Have you found a shed for all your stuff?
(Long gap of letters from then until early 2002)
June 23, 2002 - This is a holiday weekend in la Belle Province but I have no plans to celebrate. The only flag I own is a Union Jack and it would be politically incorrect to fly it.
Don’t expect me to try your hot tub. I would rather have a bath.
Oct. 7, 2002 - I have hung up my curling brush and won’t venture onto the ice again.
Dec 1, 2002 - The neighbours across the street make me look like Mrs. Scrooge. Their place is covered with hundreds of lights.
My sewing machine is working overtime.
Your B.C. politics keep me amused on TV.
Dec. 12, 2002 - I dug out a few of the old Christmas decorations for a little holiday spirit.
April 17, 2003 - My engagement calendar is a blank so any time suits me. Given sufficient warning I can be sure that the freezer is well stocked with goodies.
June 29, 2003 - The PBS station came from Vancouver last week. I expected to see your garden featured but was disappointed.
Aug. 11, 2003 - Prince and I have a lot in common - advancing years slowing us down. However I’m very glad to be able to keep active and get around.
Oct. 7, 2003 - My sewing machine is humming along.
Nov. 8, 2003 - A mouse or a family of mice have decided to spend their winter vacation in my kitchen drawer. I scatter a large supply of mouse bait once or twice a day and they keep coming back for more.
Nov. 19, 2003 - I’ve raked the last lead and feel as if I’m shut in for the winter. However I do not intend to turn into a couch potato.
Dec. 12, 2003 - I’m declaring victory over my greedy mouse.
Jan. 11, 2004 - There is little news to report from here.
Feb. 7, 2004 - the last letter.
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