Memos, Mail & Me: It's Monday - June 19th

White Peonies in My Garden - So Many Possibilities of Bloom

Good morning & hello to any of those still doing a Monday check in. While our official Monday Memos hostess, Sian, is taking a summer break, I thought I would try a new format for the Monday check in.

Memo:  we received an email memo from the arbourist that two years ago, inoculated our two ash trees against the invader, Emerald Ash Borer, saying it was time for the second treatment.  When I started to blog 2 years ago, one of my early posts was about this treatment, which is required to be done every 2 years.  The arbourist did not increase the cost from 2 years ago - so very thankful for this.  He says there is no sign of any borers & it seems that our region has not reached a peak invasion as yet.  He says that if that changes over the summer, he will advise whether we should do another treatment next summer rather than wait for the 2 years.  Keeping ahead of the invader until a cure is found is important to us as we love our trees.

  Reading: making great progress through my summer reading list. I do wish I could write book reviews that would engage & entertain but mine always end up sounding more like school book reports.  The last book I read, Anything is Possible by Elizabeth Strout, at the end of it I said to Mr Man "I have no idea what this book was about."  It did not leave me wanting more, I didn't bond with any of the characters, nor did I care about any of them.  I was hopeful but felt like I had wasted my time.    I found on line, Oprah's summer reading list & from that list I added just 2 (again because I could get at my local library) to my Summer Reading List.   Books on my list are with the intention of reading books I wouldn't normally choose & hopefully finding new authors that I adore & books that have characters that become like friends.  So far I haven't met anyone in the 4 that I have read that I would ask for lunch ...  I'll say no more for now.

Mail:  we receive a package (for free) from the local tourist board for, 4 possible drives/outings within easy reach of us.  Each brochure highlights a different theme & area.  Each drive/tour would take just over 2 hours & take us on roads we probably haven't travelled as yet & see some local landmarks & historic sites.

Saying goodbye: to Reign the TV show.  I enjoyed the clothes/costumes on this show but as for history, well I think how the show ended was about the only correct historical fact.  Some of what I enjoyed about this series was that it was not only filmed in Ireland but locally in our conservation park  & it was neat that I could say "I've walked there".   Megan Follows played the role of Catherine de Medici & for those of you that are Anne of Green Gables fans, Megan in her early days as an actress played Anne in the 1985 TV series.


Garden:  we have been experiencing rather unsettled & unpredictable weather this last week.  It has been so very humid which is causing "pop up" thunder storms - several had the possibility of a tornado embedded in them - always a scary time.  My poppies & peonies are really out doing themselves this year & have not suffered from the high winds or heat.  The pinkish poppies have never had so many blooms.

Single Petal Peonies - Such a Beauty

Pink Poppies - My Favourite (don't tell the others)

Adventures:  Last Friday we had a tour of a local National Historic Home; Castle Kilbride.  We had booked not only the tour, but tea on the lawn served by the Maids of Castle Kilbride & it turns out, we were the only booking for the day.  This home was built in 1877 by James Livingston, The Flax King of Canada & the home is named after his place of birth in Scotland, Kilbride.  The building has wonderful examples of trompe l'oeil throughout.  The overall style is Italian Renaissance, which is very symmetrical & rather pleasing to Mr Man's  logical eye.  Our Maid was very knowledgeable about the home & family's history & you could tell she really enjoyed sharing this with us. We even got to climb up to the tower & look out over the area.   Our tea outside thankfully was under the shade of a large beech tree & we thoroughly enjoyed our  treats.  This is such a gem & I would recommend any of the locals to visit.

 

Today, June 19th, is World Sauntering Day although in some parts of the world it is celebrated on August 28th.   This day was created in 1979, with the intent of encouraging people to slow & appreciate the world around them.  

I hope that everyone has the opportunity for a saunter in their day & a wonderful week ahead.