Long Weekend

What a gorgeous holiday Monday morning it is! In our fair province, we celebrate the first Monday in August as our provincial *pride* day if you will. It's another long weekend in summer for families and friends to visit, travel and just simply enjoy the lazy, hazy days of what I call the "second half" of the warm season.

And keeping with that theme, Arend and I ventured *up the river* on Saturday, taking quart boxes to pick blueberries on my son's (newly acquired) property. He knew he had these high-bush berries when he bought the land last November, but I know he was very pleasanty surprised to realize the bountiful crop of not only fruit but "hospitality" they would render.

Now let me explain the hospitality part. Because of time constrictions with family and my son's job, he decided to open the berry patch for a U-pick, welcoming in family, neighbours and friends to pick and enjoy a *morning out* at the same time.

Ryan strolled up after we'd been there for a while, smiling at the scene playing out before his eyes. People with all sorts of containers, were chatting and sharing stories as the delightful blue fruit literally spilled into pitchers and whatever else one could find to fill. Ryan's reaction was of pure delight, as he remembered picking strawberries with me when he was 8 or 9 years old. Okay, he wasn't delighted with the *work* part, but he was quite happy to have all this activity going on in *his* berry patch.

Afterwards, "Nanna" spent precious time with Riley, whos' now almost 4 months old and getting cuter every day, if that's possible. And, the best part of the visit for me, his parents agreed to let Riley come to Nanna's (very soon) for an extended sleep-over--possibly 3 or 4 days. Now we didn't bring him yet, but we are planning to go up in a day or two, so Riley and his "things" can be packed and ready when we arrive.

I've dreamed about this ever since he was born you know--having time for one-on-one with my grandson--pure heaven for me. I will share with you pictures and special moments after his visit so stay tuned for that.

In the meantime, blessings to you and your family,
Barb