CSANews Issue 138

We arrived in the U.S. in December. Crossing the border was the easiest it has been in 40 years. My four sons and their families came to visit, with children ranging from a year old to 25 years old. Even two great-grandchildren arrived – all without incident. At the border, my family was all welcomed with open arms and kind words at the five different border-crossing points.

Our U.S. friends and neighbours, the little restaurants and shops which we frequent, and even our local grocery store staff also welcomed us with open arms. They all know that we are Canadian, of course, and I wear my CSA hat everywhere. Our winter here in Florida has been nothing short of magical.

We have an old chandelier on our open front porch. Our home is 106 years old and the iron chandelier is probably original, with 16 lights that automatically come on at dusk. Amazingly, two doves decided to build a rather awkward nest in between the structural parts. We go in and out the door several times a day and they just look down at us with distain, never saying a word or chirping. Two weeks later, we had two new arrivals and now we have four doves. None of them said anything all during their gestation, birth or stay and then they were gone. And even we had to go home.

I am sad that ridiculous news stories have scared some snowbirds away. You missed another wonderful year. Hopefully next year, you will return to your lifestyle once again.

Happy summer!

J. Ross Quigley
Editor