Spooky

I’m sad to be missing Halloween at home.

Our neighbourhood always gets huge crowds of kids (our area has a reputation for giving out loads of good candy) and I’m one of those people who likes to make the walk to the door scary and reward the brave kids that make it.

When we were little my mom went all out at Halloween – had us making gravestones out of Styrofoam to decorate the yard, sticking bloody fake limbs in bushes, it was fantastic. Elizabeth always made a fuss and complained when we got fake blood on her clothes, but even she would pitch in and string fake cobwebs up. Dad would procure all the candy to give out and supervise to make sure the horror was tastefully done. We each did a jack-o-lantern. It was one of my favourite holidays.

Out here trick or treating doesn't work – all the houses are too far apart. My nephew will be taken to a private party at his friend’s place and the rest of us will treat it like a normal night. But maybe I’ll get a pumpkin and my nephew and I can carve it and light it, just in case there are any spooks up here that need to be kept at bay.

Surprise Visit

Mr. and Mrs. Croft were just here!

They are touring the region around their new city and took Mary up on her invitation to stop by. They seem nice; I’m relieved! They’re a very sweet couple - clearly still in love, which isn’t something you see often. Mrs. Croft was very sensitive to the fact that they have taken over a family home and reassured me that they were not planning any changes and are committed to maintaining the gardens. She made a point of saying glowing things about Mom’s garden in the back, saying she finds it the most inspirational space for her painting. I appreciated her tact about it all - it could have been very awkward but wasn't.  It's a relief to feel like the house and Mom's gardens are in good hands.

Mrs. Croft – Sophy - mentioned her brother was recently married, which rendered me unable to speak, until I realized she probably meant the other brother, since it would make more sense for her to give us news of the brother that used to live in the area rather than the one that simply visited once. Mr. Croft later mentioned “Sophy’s brother is coming to visit soon” but he wasn’t clear on which brother, so I’m left to agitate until someone shows up. Am I in danger of seeing him again? I’m honest enough to admit that the thought does bother me.

Jungle Adventures - by Proxy

Mary was miraculously better this morning. And what timing, since we've been invited to an evening gathering at the Lodge. The Musgroves have some friends visiting so it should be a nice night. I'm going a bit stir crazy up here, it will be nice to meet some new people!

I've been light on blog posts lately because I have been obsessing over my project brief that I'm writing to send to my old professor & her colleague. It's a summary of my non-profit literacy program idea - the general gist of the program, objectives, program elements, etc. They are expecting it in their inboxes on Friday. I am trying to get it down to three pages and it's killing me to cut so much - I want to cram in references to all the research I've done. It's the opposite problem compared to most university writing situations where you are making margins wider and increasing line spacing to make the document look long enough.  At one point yesterday I had convinced myself that a 10pt font document was acceptable.  (It's not, right?)

It will be wonderful to email this document out and get it off my mind. And to receive some professional feedback!

…..

I failed to publish my earlier post, so you get this longer one.

I've just returned from the Lodge. It’s late but I’m not sleepy. It was a wonderful night. The Musgroves' friends turned out to be two women, a couple just returned from several months of research in the field. They both study zoology. It was fascinating to hear them talk about it; they had amazing stories about life in the jungle while on expedition - crazy things happen in the jungle! Also: malaria!

It was great to meet two people who are so enthusiastic about what they do and who are out living their dream. The evening flew by! Lousia entertained everyone with her new piano piece. We played cards. But mostly, we talked. It’s about the best you can ask for, really - good company and interesting conversation.

I am unable to sleep, maybe because of the stories about wild jungle animals chasing people through the wilderness, or maybe because I am busy puzzling over why it is so rare to have such a good night and so rare to meet people who have found their passion and are living it.

A kind of sickness

I went down to breakfast this morning to find out Mary was ‘ill’. Charles told me this without any commentary except for a slight eye-roll.

I took Mary her toast and tea in bed and we talked. Apparently she and Charles had an argument during their drive yesterday. Mary tried to convince Charles to cancel the golf trip he is planning with his friend. I got to hear all her arguments against it, mostly about leaving her alone with their son (she didn't mention the nanny they have four days a week, Mrs. Musgrove, or me). Really it’s about the friend; Mary doesn't think he’s good enough and worries it hurts Charles’s prospects to be seen socializing with him. So Mary, in response to Charles refusing to yield to her wishes, is now ill. This is not unusual and will pass in a day or two when Mary tires of missing out on things.

I often wonder if it is possible for this belief in the importance of social standing to be a genetic trait. Did I miss out on that feature in the genetic lottery? Or is it taught? Did Dad hold classes on it with Mary and Elizabeth while I was outside playing? The three of them think this stuff is really significant. They will be friends with someone or not based on whether or not the person is rich enough or influential enough - to be honest, I’m not that clear on the niceties of what it takes to pass muster. I have my own snobberies about what I want in a friend, I’m not going to deny that, but I don’t care how much money someone has or how connected they are to a distant aristocracy that doesn’t matter anymore. I’m hard-pressed to think of qualities that would have less influence on whether someone is enjoyable company.

Nosy

Mary went to visit the Crofts today. She felt it was “her duty as an Elliot”. (I think she felt left out of the process and wanted an excuse to meet them.) She and Charles made the trip to the city in the convertible, so there was no space for me. I happily stayed home and avoided the meeting. I hope the Crofts are pleased with the house and don’t think we misrepresented anything. I also hope they don’t think we’re being nosy, checking up on them just after they've moved in!

Photo Post

I'm babysitting my nephew today so no time for a real post. Instead, you get a photo of another wonderful street library I stumbled on before I left the city. I love these. Does your community have any?

Developing Friendship

My friendship with Bandit continues to grow. She now mostly responds to my commands. Unless a squirrel is involved, in which case all bets are off.

The daily walks with Mary have been put on hiatus, but Bandit and I have our regular morning walks in the woods together. It's nice to have company and still be able to enjoy the quiet of the woods. I particularly appreciate that she refrains from offering unsolicited advice on how to catch a husband.

Lately she tends to seek me out in the afternoons when I'm working at my computer. She lays down by my feet and makes contented sleeping noises. I think she appreciates the escape I provide from the 3-year old induced chaos of the rest of the house.  Whatever the reason, it's nice to have her around.  Charles is starting to protest that her loyalties have shifted to me.  :)