New York

Caleb and I were both impressed approaching New York city from the north how few houses or suburbs there are. Very green looking all around until you are really in Westchester, and then it's still fairly green with trees and parks and the beautiful Hudson river which is a short walk from Jo and Sean's (my brother) house and can be seen from their tri-level backyard. Dobb's Ferry is a really great little town. They have a sweet location on Main street too. Visited Cynthia (Caleb's cousin) and David down by Harlem, which is no longer a bad locale either. Being in Manhattan doesn't hurt. Today was the first time we've awoken in the same bed two mornings in a row in a while having been on the road from Nova Scotia which was rather intense, through a hurricane, which had lost its real force, and narrowly escaping the tornado warning behind us in New Hampshire. We stayed in St. John in New Brunswick and Portsmouth in New Hampshire which both appeared to be amazing towns by water, St. John's being by the Bay of Fundy with the huge tides, and the reversing river, but we didn't stay long enough to really appreciate their finer points. Tomorrow, I believe we will head for Michigan unless we need an extra night of New York in which case we will go stay with Cynthia. This is yet to be determined. The children are currently catching up on much needed sleep. They are busy this summer growing mostly and were able to play with their cousins Lina and Susan yesterday which was a real treat, while we dined on delivered Peruvian, Chinese, Carribean food with those yummy Plantains that I love so much, thanks to Cynthia and David.
I think what they say about the bald eagles coming back must be true because I saw more of them this year even than in the past in Canada. I even saw one in New Brunswick really close to the border so maybe it is true that they have them in the U.S. too?? I have friends that swear it's so, but their eagles are attracted to ceremony, for spiritual reasons. Does anyone see them here just hanging out? I have seen more owls since Sofie was born than I've seen in my entire life. The first one I ever saw in nature was at Peaks Pike when I was pregnant with her, and since then I've seen them everywhere. Maybe I'm just looking up more. My chiropractor has been telling me I ought to for years.

Baddeck!

In Baddeck, Nova Scotia, Canada currently waiting for my tour of the lake on the Amoeba sailboat. There were no dead animals found in the cistern this year though still heavily chlorinating. The jelly fish population is very low which I have enjoyed immensely though the few that are out there seem to have it in for Caleb and his brother Jesse, who are enjoying a wind surfer they borrowed from the O'Brien's. The flowers are gorgeous, many lupines, Irises, and Roses. There was a cold spring though it has really heated up here now. I have gathered some Red Clover, and would love to get someone out here to help me identify more plants. I am working on this but have yet to reach the herbalists I am trying to contact. The absence of a phone this year makes it much more challenging and our cell is not functioning here either. C'est la vie. Jim O'Brien came over by boat yesterday to explain how to get the acreage here covered under a land preservation act to avoid miners coming in though it may not be an issue if there is no clause on the deed. I am not sure why this came up other than what is currently taking place in Alberta. Besides, I doubt there is oil, only Gypsum. Is that in high demand? But a visit from Jim and or Heather is especially pleasant and breaks up the long day of relaxing in the shade healing from the bite of a Horse fly. You may laugh, but you have not been limping for four days. On the second or third day post bite, I was in town and asked the pharmacist what they use around here for horse fly bites. They recommended antibiotics and directed me to the clinic. This is when I added Red root to the regimen. I had already been using Plantain, Echinacea, Lavender essential oil and ice. It cleared up soon thereafter, but was swollen horribly before that and still aches when I walk on it. OUCH! What is it with us and bugs! I suppose it is our sensitive nature because other people get bitten, they just don't react so fiercely. Mel even had a tick bite here this visit. They must subside as it warms up, again, it was a cold, extended spring. The children with dads in town headed for crystal cave today. I hope they find much magic. Yesterday Mel and Jesse took all three girls to Louisville to visit a place that is a year round re-creation of a french colonial town from the mid 1700s. They saw a blacksmith work and ate at a restaurant with only spoons for utensils. Pewter serving dishes. This goes well with the year long theme of chipping lead paint, which also could be dealt with here, if we all got so organized as to hire someone. Maybe I should call them from the pay phone with my card whilst I am here in town. We also think each year we will stop and pick up some new mattresses from Ikea on the way. We are enjoying the tents on the porch though. For all the complaining, I'm sure you all understand how worth it it is to drive for three eight hour days to get here. Just Gorgeous!