November: Grey Clouds in the Sky and our Hearts

       November entered with an unexpected snowstorm.  A dusting of snow is not unusual in
       November in southern Ontario but it usually melts away in a day or two.  We had not
       even had a frost yet when a heavy snow piled on everything and stayed for a couple
       of weeks.  The cold stayed around and we shivered through Remembrance Day services
       in The Square in Bayfield.  The snow finally melted and we were hit with an icestorm.
       Perhaps the "Wicked Winter of 2019" that was predicted, had arrived?

     Chris met his surgeon, Dr. Jhas in Mississauga and was urged to have a neck surgery,
     "Laminectomy" before he addressed the lower back issues.  His cervical decompression 
      and spinal fusion were scheduled for December 5, two weeks away!  We were both
      excited with the concept of some pain relief for Chris and prepared for a winter
      of recovery.

                                       Interesting "faces" in the surgeon's waiting room.

            
               Sadly, we had to say goodbye to a very dear friend, John Bucknam aka Bomba.
               John's generosity, laughter and friendship will be forever in our memories.
               The playing of  Donna Summer's "Last Dance" at the end of Bomba's 
               Celebration of Life was fabulous! 

                                                    Photo by Peter Henderson

               Dixie was deaf and suffered from arthritis in her knees and hips. The two knee
               replacements she'd had in her forth and fifth years were wearing down. She was
               still happy to lie on the porch, sit beside us wherever we were and of course food
               was always her first love.  We knew however that at fourteen and 1/2 years old,
               she was on borrowed time and agreed that incontinence or immobility would be
               the end.  For about a week, she was very lame and when she began collapsing and
               unable to get up on her own, we called the vet.  We had a lovely euthanasia at home
               then buried her in "her yard."  It was one of the most difficult things we have ever
               done.  Naturally, we are gutted but treasure the many years and memories the three
               of us made together.  I am planning a blog honouring our beloved Dixie after I
               collect pictures from the past years.

                 We were so pleased for the early snow so Dixie could enjoy it in her last days.

                                          Spring bulbs will bloom in Spring over Dixie.
                                          We will also plant a tree for her to lie under.