The Invisible Renovation and Other Events of the Summer

Ever heard of Kitec? That is the name of the company that manufactured the orange heating tubes or pipes for hot water heating and plumbing systems that were installed in thousands and thousands of homes across North America. And they all should probably be replaced, even if the homeowner has experienced no difficulties, because insurance companies most often will no longer cover damage costs if the system breaks down, or provide insurance to the new buyers purchasing your home, making the house far more difficult to sell.

So the first part of the summer was spent having a construction company cut over sixty holes in the ceilings on the main floor and in the basement. The plumbers then removed the Kitec piping and installed the new system. The carpenters followed behind, setting the gyproc back into the hole openings, crack filling, sanding, priming and painting.

We used Blunden Construction and I cannot say enough about how great they were at making an awful project relatively painless. The ceilings look even better now than they did when the house was first constructed! We do still mourn the fact, though, that we spent thousands of dollars for what amounted to an invisible renovation!

Pattern: Weekend Pullover

Designer: Andrea Sanchez

Size: 18 months

Yarn: Diamond Luxury Collection Pure Wool Superwash

Colour: 925

Needles: Circular - 5 mm

This great pullover pattern is sized from six months to twelve years. This is the second time I have knit it and it is a breeze, being knit seamless from the bottom up. I hope Alec looks as good in red as his Mama did when she was a child.

In July, Melissa came from Toronto for a visit. It was her first time in Nova Scotia and we were so happy to be able to show her around. She thought at first that she might not like lobster. Ye Gods and Little Fishes! Imagine coming to Nova Scotia and not liking lobster. The entire family was in an uproar! But, being a very good sport, she was willing to give it another try and, before we knew it, she was an expert at ordering lobster rolls in restaurants and shelling a lobster at home.

We went with her on a one hour boat tour off Peggy's Cove. With the aid of an underwater camera, and a big screen onboard, we watched lobster and flounder on the ocean floor go after pieces of mackerel. Melissa was even able to don a captain's cap and act as a co-pilot of sorts, hands at the wheel. She is a master organizer so I benefited greatly when she tackled a linen closet and a couple of drawers that had gotten badly out of hand and tamed them into perfect order. (Memo to Self: Invite Melissa back.) She also was a good sport about joining in on family games night and proved to be one of those individuals who say they are "not much of a games person" and then proceed to perform brilliantly at the table.

The following week, Golden Girl came home from Toronto, mainly to spend some time with her Uncle Floyd, who was nearing the end of his life in a care facility. It was marvelous to have the opportunity to spend some time with her.

Beautiful Nora is still as joyful as ever. This summer, she is participating in the tracking program on Saturdays at Lietash Farm, and we have taken out a membership in the large, wooded off-leash Paws in the Park where she can run to her heart's content and play with other dogs

This summer also marked the end of an era.

My brother, Floyd

(1932-2015)

Floyd was a committed family man, a community volunteer, an outdoorsman, gardener, and a true force of nature. He grew up on Agricola Street in the north end of Halifax and experienced life in the seaport during the Magazine Explosion and the Second World War.

  Here is Golden Girl speaking with her Uncle Floyd about the Bedford Magazine (munitions) Explosion.

Floyd spent most of his working life in the finance department of CBC Halifax. Much of his spare time was spent volunteering with the Sackville Volunteer Fire Department. It is a testament to his character that many of his friendships have lasted from the 1950's until the day of his death. He will be greatly missed by so many.