What weather we are having! Summers like this have, up to now, only existed in my imagination. We have had a few heat waves, with very high humidity, but none that made it impossible to sleep at night. Most days have been sunny, breezy and warm but not hot. Pollution has been low, allowing the scent of the surrounding forest its due. I am experiencing these soft summer days as a caress, as a balm.

Process. The past must be woven into the present. My days are filled with process. Process is expensive. It takes up a lot of time, moving at its own slow pace. Metamorphosis channels mountains of energy inward, as sorrow after sorrow after sorrow crystallize into multifaceted bedrock.

" ...not being known doesn't stop truth from being true"
from There's No Such Place As Far Away by Richard Bach

Attila and I have graduated from pressing repair to tinkering with our home. Hooks have been installed in my closet, where I will hang my robe and my overalls for daily wear. Minor repairs to the wallpaper in the main floor bathroom have been completed. The water pump is returning to a state of good health. Much remains that could be done, but the only project remaining that should be done is to create a clean out for the ash dump for the masonry fireplace. Although our home still owns us, we are now getting some time off for good behavior.

A doctor’s appointment is required to get the results of last week’s blood test for cholesterol levels. I was pleasantly informed, when I called the doctor’s office, that if the results were of concern to the doctor he would call me. If I wanted any information about my results [to exercise my right to access] I would have to make an appointment. Sigh. Another entire day will have to be dedicated to getting access to one three digit number, that by all accounts is not a cause for concern to the doctor, whatever that means. It is very difficult, and a drain on one’s resources, to work cooperatively with the health care system. One has little choice but to trust blindly and pray that human error never occurs.

My efforts to lower cholesterol levels continue. I hold out small hope of success, as the problem is hereditary. My female ancestresses succumbed to stroke at relatively young ages. I remember my Grandmother’s efforts to combat the advances of small strokes that continued to occur and increase in intensity as time went by. Altered diet, reduced weight, regular exercise… did not affect their advance. However, all of these measures did ensure that my Grandmother experienced otherwise good health until the final stroke carried her across the River Styx.

I will continue to take the medication prescribed, as thus far this chemical has caused no discernable side effects and we presently have a drug plan. I will continue to eat well and exercise daily. But, despite all this I realize that when it is my time, it will be my time. That time is not for me to decide.

The transcription (of a transcription) of the 1881 Census for the Parry Sound District is my next genealogical project. I have already transcribed the entire 1871 Census for the Parry Sound / Muskoka District, from copies of the original documents. I have transcribed the 1901 Census for the Parry Sound District, for the specific townships settled by my ancestors. I am finding that the information in the 1881 Census provides a significant “piece of the puzzle”, linking the original settlers with following generations. Already I feel excited about finishing the 1881 Census and playing with statistics. I might write an article or two, just for fun. We shall see, as there is a lot of data entry to get through before the database is ready for exploration.

Our day ended pleasantly with a walk in the bush, where we collected enough blackberries for another six meals of blackberry pancakes. They are already frozen for our winter pleasure.