Morning coffee

 

I finally decided to tackle another painting. It has been months since any inspiration has filtered through. It was the shadows that attracted my eye and I decided to pick up a paint brush again. 

There is truth in the saying "Use it or lose it!" 

On Tuesdays and Fridays I drive to Joy of Coffee in Murrayville for morning coffee. There is a regular gaggle of mostly men who meet there every morning. I usually sit on the periphery and absorb their discussions but sometimes I allow myself to get sucked into the topic of the day. Gerry always hands me a copy of the Province when I walk in. Lisa and I exchange greetings and she gives me progress reports on the plants in her nursery greenhouses. Brooke, the server, shares updates on brunch locations that she has visited recently. Ron, the owner, talks about his upcoming cruise with the group. Every time I walk through the door I feel welcomed.

So much has happened

So much has happened since my last entry three months ago. 

My youngest sister Tara returned to her home in Campbell River after the second surgery to remove regrowth of a malignant brain tumor. Unfortunately her feeling of euphoria did not last. Two days before Christmas she was readmitted to hospital with difficult symptoms. On December 28th she opted to end her struggles by using MAID. We were with her as she made a peaceful exit from the ugliness of cancer.

Fortunately we have had the joy of a new arrival to buoy our spirits.

Frankie continues to delight us with his relaxed and smiling presence.

He is already three months old and enjoying his new jolly jumper!

Life goes on with daily walks, volunteer work and baby visits.

I have been selected as a member of ARCH, 

a City committee that is dedicated to Arts, Culture, 

Recreation and Heritage in Langley City.

 There will also be a solo exhibition of my paintings 

at the local Community Centre/City Hall 

from the end of May to July. 

Life is good in Langley.

SPECIAL DELIVERY

 

Franklin RJ Maxwell has arrived.

Frankie was born on November 10, 2022 weighing 8lbs - 9oz.

His parents are euphoric and sleep deprived.

Nana is thrilled!

Special Amorgos events

 

John had requested that some of his ashes be delivered to friends on Amorgos so I carried four small containers in my luggage. One was for Buket, Shukru and Tuna, special friends from Turkey. They decided to scatter his ashes in Istanbul, a city that John loved. Another container was for Yorgos and he carried it to Crete for scattering...one of John's favorite islands. 

The other two containers were for our dearest friends Theo and Kalliroi who decided to remember John in distinctly different ways. Kalliroi invited a few friends to a beach on the south end of the island. She gave each of us a "wish rock" to throw into the water along with a wish. Sandra had made a series of paper boats with messages to float. They instantly became submarines with the first wave. Kalliroi read a poem before wading into the water to scatter John's ashes. After hugs and tears we drove to a small cafenion to toast John with raki!

Natasha, Marianna, Sandra, Kalliroi & Theo

Theo decided that he wanted to share his scattering of ashes with me at sunrise. John loved to stay awake and watch the sunrise after we arrived by ferry on Amorgos at 2:00-3:00am. It was our way of celebrating our arrival on this wonderful island that became our second home. So, the morning before I left Amorgos I met Theo at our favorite sunrise location, watched as the sun peeked above the horizon and Theo shared John's ashes with the island.

October 24 Update

 

It has been a busy time since arriving back in Canada. The next day, on October 12th, my youngest sister had her second surgery to remove a brain tumor that had regrown since the first surgery one year ago. She was released the next day and is doing well. For the next 11 days she stayed with my other sister who lives close to me.

We shared special time together with walks, talks, meals, shopping and napping during her recovery from surgery and my recovery from jet lag. On Friday, October 21st, she had a CT scan to check for bleeds and on Sunday, October 23rd, she ferried back to Campbell River.

I also returned to my volunteer position at Penny Pincher, a Langley Hospital Auxiliary Thrift store. It was fun to reunite with my co-workers. Most of us are either near or over the age of 70 and enjoy the opportunity to make a contribution to the hospital and to our community.

Now we are anticipating the arrival of a grand baby at the end of this month. Adrian and Marika will soon be delivering a grandson...a little Maxwell will join the clan!

, 

Back in Athens

Sailing at sunrise with Mata.

It was a long trip back to Athens with stops at 5 islands enroute.

Tonight I will have dinner with my friend Niovi

before meeting Theo, my 3rd adopted Greek son, for a glass of wine.

Tomorrow morning will be an early start

with a 4:30am wake up call and a 5:00am taxi to the airport.

Sunset

Reflection of the sunset

on a day of strong winds.