Hello...what is barely been over a week since the last update...Physical distancing rocks!

All said. Life is quiet here, but my little home is doing good. Thank you all for the lovely comments the past week!


"Look at you!" Marianne embraced her friend as she found Rilla waiting for her near baggage claim. It was an early May morning when the two women embraced.

"Look at you!" Rilla exclaimed as she took in her friend's short hair. "You cut your hair!" She looked over the dark waves that were cut into a short bob.

"I did! I felt like I needed to do something after he finally passed. So off went the hair!" Marianne explained.

"It must have been hard," Rilla nodded. "Grief is always hard, even when it is expected."

"He's in a better place, he held on for one last holiday," Marianne nodded. "It was quaint and we talked about mother and what she used to be like. He's with her again which he shall enjoy."

"As it should be," Rilla agreed. "Though I don't know how much I have changed. Still have the hair, still wear similar clothing."

"You just seem so content, and robust," Marianne looked her over.

"Well, I am content and robust," Rilla laughed. "Ken wishes he could have been here, but of course duty calls when you are the boss."

"Of course, I take no offence to him not being here." Marianne laughed as she found her bags and both Rilla and her picked one up. "I brought some souvenirs from Toronto for you."

"Oh! Let's get going then, I have a cab waiting for us," Rilla told her.

"So your brother and sister in law have set off?" Marianne asked, remembering their last letter.

"They did, Amelie has decided to go spend the summer with them. She will return in the fall most likely. Though most of us believe that she will fall in love with Paris and stay but we shall see." Rilla explained. "It was a tearful goodbye but we shall see them at some point."

"I'm sure that you will," Marianne agreed.

"So this is the new place, it is adorable," Marianne exclaimed. Taking in the flower beds that went around the house. "Have you taken up gardening yet?" She looked at Rilla who shrugged guiltily.

"It makes the house homelier," Rilla defended herself, "Come along, oh I should warn that I do have a housekeeper. Mrs. Clarke," she said. "She said she would prepare your room, so everything should be ready for you. If you need anything she knows where it can be found."

"Of course," Marianne gave a curt nod.

"I shall warn you," Rilla said before opening the door. "Mrs. Clarke is from Jamaica," she said quietly.

"Well, look at you, being all wealthy," Marianne teased her friend. "I went to school with several negro's who were middle-class families in Toronto. We weren't exactly friends, but they were classmates."

"Well, she should have some brunch ready for us," Rilla told her as she opened the front door.

"Mrs. Ford is that you?"

"It is Gloria, I am back," Rilla called out as she saw the older lady step out from the kitchen.

"I will put the coffee pot on for you then," Gloria smiled. "Do you need help with any bags?"

"We are fine to thank you," Rilla smiled. "This way Mary," she told her friend. "I gave you the downstairs bedroom, I hope that is all right, but you have the own water closet next to it. I will show you the bathroom upstairs later on the tour."

"So what happened to the apartment?" Marianne asked as Rilla showed her the downstairs guest bedroom.

"We are most likely going to sell it. Now that Shirley and Lillian are in Paris." Rilla explained as she set one of the bags on the bed. "Do you wish to freshen up before having a bite to eat?"

Marianne nodded and Rilla showed her the stack of towels that were in the corner on an old washstand. Before she left the room closing the door behind her. She made quick work of checking over the front room and headed through the dining room into the kitchen. Fresh muffins and scones were waiting on the counter.

"Is there anything else you wish for today's lists of groceries?" Gloria asked looking over the list.

"I think that is it if you notice anything missing from the pantry feel welcome to add it," Rilla told her. Picking up the platter of good to bring to the table, while Gloria followed with the service of coffee.

"So what are the plans for this trip?"Marianne asked as she sank into her chair.

"Well, since it is spring and warmer out and you are here for longer. Ken wants to go to some fishing village. Which has a lighthouse that Ken wats for some photographs for an article? I thought we may join him, see the coastline and enjoy the sights. I've never been down that way so it may be fun to do?" Rilla asked.

"Is it far?" Marianne asked.

"It's about 44 kilometres. No trains, so we drive down the old roads that bring us to the area," Rilla told her. "It won't take too long to drive to the area."

"Sounds wonderful," Marianne told her with a smile drinking from her coffee cup.

"But today, we can relax. You can catch up on some rest if you need it, or we can go out for a walk. Later this week we can give you a tour of the magazine and the building. It has come together." Rilla told her as she spotted the grey furry tale that was underneath the sidebar of the dining room. She pointed to the tale to Marianne with a smile.

"Is that Artemis?" Marianne asked as she sank from the chair onto the floor. "Why hello there," She spoke to the cat in a childlike voice. "Aren't you pretty? I have something for you?" She said rummaging through the pocket of her skirt and pulled out a tiny fabric mouse. She waved it around until Artemis caught sight out and scrambled for playfully.

"So are you really baking for the bake sale?" Marianne asked. Meaning the one that Rilla was helping organize at the GWVA. Rilla smiled and sank down on the floor to play with the cat next to her friend.

"I am, granted Mrs. Clarke will help me but I am sure that it will be fine. I am looking forward to bringing you as well." Rilla told her. "But I am sure that you are looking forward to not having to bear my cooking again?"

"Well, I won't lie, it did make the trip much more exciting," Marianne teased her. Rilla laughed and shook her head.


Rilla beamed as she waved to her friends who were all under the tents. Children were running around, sneaking cookies whenever possible.

"Laura!" She waved happily.

It was a Friday afternoon, a Friday of a long weekend. Which meant the children had gotten off early from school for the holiday. As it was Victoria Day on Monday.

"Rilla!" Laura waved back. "You must be Marianne," she held out her hand. "It's nice to meet you and thank you for joining us today."

"Thank you for having me," Marianne smiled. "It's quite a turnout," she looked around at crowds of people. Children were running around with painted faces. While the men all hoovering around the animals or automobiles.

"I know it is nothing like what Toronto has," Rilla told her. "But for us, it is quite an achievement. Kingsport has been growing like wild, we grow any closer we might as well become part of Halifax!"

"That will be an interesting day!" Caroline cut in as she held a pie in her hands. "I hope you brought your aprons?" She looked over Rilla and Marianne's dresses tutting as she did.

"Of course, we did," Rilla laughed holding up the basket, and another bag that contained their aprons.

"We have brownies, cookies, butter tarts," Marianne told them. "Oh and something called pineapple upside-down cake!"

Laura and Caroline, and a few others looked at her strangely.

"My housekeeper Mrs. Clarke helped us make it," Rilla explained. "It is quite delicious."

"Well, we will put it along with the other cakes," Mabel stated hesitantly. Rilla looked towards Marianne unsure of what to do. Who only shrugged in response, what can one do?

"So which ones are yours?" Rilla asked looking at the playing children that Laura was focused on.

"Lizzy is the one in pink, and David is well, the one covered in mud already," Laura sighed.

"My siblings and I would constantly be covered in grass and mud stains," Rilla admitted. "Whoever did our laundry, I pity them now."

"Thank goodness for service," Laura agreed. "Well, let us try and sell some baked goods?"

Ken came by still dressed in his suit from the office. "Looks like quite a turnout?" He observed as he kissed Rilla lightly.

"It is," Rilla agreed. "All the men are fawning over the cars and the horses," she told him.

"Hint taken," he chuckled. "Anything good here though before I take my leave."

"I saved you a couple of butter tarts at him, but I think you will like Mabel's maple fudge," Rilla told him. "10 cents a pound," she told him with a grin.

Ken shook his head but handed over the dime and took his paper-wrapped fudge. "Ladies," he gave them all a nod and went to find the other men.

"Your husband is so handsome," One of the teenage daughters of Adele said dreamily.

"Delia!" Adele exclaimed.

"What it's true," Delia shrugged at her mother.

Rilla laughed. "Ken is very handsome."

"What happened to his face though? Was it from the war, scars are so dashing," Delia went on with another dreamy sigh.

"Yes, it was from the war, and while I can agree." Rilla wrapped her arm around the younger girl. "However scars often carry memories and not all memories can be happy. So remember that when gushing over scars?"

"Delia, do go help with your brother please," Adele called out and the young girl sighed and went to where her brother was. "Children," Adele shook her head.

"So it seems," Rilla nodded. Looking out at the young kids running about.

"You best get a move on with them," Caroline chipped in.

"My mother was twenty-six when she had her first," Rilla retorted. It was not the first time some of the older ladies prodded her about the subject.

"Leave her be," Laura came to her defence, giving Rilla a small sympathetic look. "The stork comes when it wants to come. We all know that?" She looked at the women who flushed slightly. "Why don't you and Marianne go enjoy some of the afternoon? Everything is pretty much sold," she motioned to the table. All that was left was a few partial cakes and half of the pineapple cake that Rilla had brought.

Rilla nodded and went to find her friend. She found Marianne who was drinking lemonade as she watched the kid goats hop around in the pen they were in.

"Let's go sit for a while?" Rilla told her, hooking her arm into her friends while holding the basket of their lunch with the other. Marianne nodded as they walked around until they found a shaded area. They settled under the tree that had sunlight filtering through here and there.

"How did Ken get that scar?" Marianne asked when Rilla and she sat on a blanket during their much-needed break.

Rilla snorted as she laughed. "If I told you, he would never forgive me."

"Why would I never forgive you?" Ken asked sneaking up behind them.

"I was asking Rilla about your scar. Delia thinks it's dashing and you weren't married to Rilla she would probably be following you around like a puppy.." Marianne filled him with a grin.

"The scar came from my own stupidity and a story I made Rilla promise to never repeat," Ken said firmly looking at his wife. "And have I gotten old enough that I know have teenagers thinking I have dashing?"

"Well, you are turning 30 in a few weeks, June 3rd?" Rilla teased him.

"Which means you are what? Twenty-four this year?" Ken asked with a grin, knowing she didn't like that she was getting closer to a quarter of a century.

"Oh hush you," Rilla swatted at his shoe, looking up under the large sun hat that was protecting her from the sun.

"Rilla Ford!' Both Rilla and Ken turned to see Carl Meredith standing near them. "I was not expecting to run into you this fine day!"

"Likewise!" Rilla stood her and embraced her old childhood friend. "This is my friend Marianne, she is visiting from Toronto."

"Nice to meet you," Carl said with a nod of his head. "How are you, Ken?"

"Doing all right," Ken told him. "Last time we heard you were out in the Rockies."

"Yes, the families don't know I am surprising them with a visit. I was just picking up a few things and saw the fair going on in the park." Carl explained.

"And you run into us!" Rilla laughed. "Well, your family will be excited to see you. You missed Shirley leaving by two weeks sadly."

"I heard that he went and got himself married and moved to Paris," Carl nodded. "Mind if I sit with you for a while?"

"Of course not!" Rilla told him, looking at the others who all nodded their eyes.


They woke early the next morning, Ken making a quick breakfast as the ladies got dressed. Brownie cameras and another portrait style on a tripod was loaded up in the car. Along with the picnic basket that Mrs. Clarke had made for them. The extra tank was filled with gasoline and tucked away. Finally, the ladies piled into the car as Ken double checked under the hood before slamming it closed. They had told Carl about the trip, and the idea of a new area full of bugs and wildlife intrigued him. They ended up inviting him along, allowing Marianne to not be the third wheel.

The roads were bumpy, as the trio chatted about the scenery as they drove leisurely. It took them just under an hour to reach their destination.

"Oh, Ken!" Rilla scrambled out of the car, followed closely by Marianne and Carl. "It's breathtaking!"

"You grew up in Glen," Ken chuckled with a shake of his head.

"But I grew up with that coastline, this is brand-new!" Rilla exclaimed. Her dress rippled in the wind, her hats elastic being tested by the wind the shore created.

They trekked around the small village and down to the point. Taking photos here and there, wherever they could or fancied. Carl spent his time looking for various small creatures and insects. Ken took multiple of the ladies until Marianne told him to go Rilla and she would take a photo of them. She smiled as she looked into the lens of the camera box. The light blue cotton dress, Ken's casual trousers and polo it made a very nice photo.

They settled at the shore, spread out slightly. Carl was pointing out various insects and flowers to Marianne. Who was with was listening with interest. "You have a-," he pointed to a caterpillar on her lavender dress. Flushing as he reached for it.

"Oh!" Marianna gasped and turned to him. "Please?"

"There you go," he said more to the caterpillar than to Marianne as he placed it on a nearby tree. "

"Thank you," Marianne told him.

"My sister often complained about them staining their dresses," Carl explained. "I have learned to be on the lookout for such things."

"Nice to know that some cares, also nice not to be the third wheel," She giggled. "Those two are very much in their little world at the moment." Marianne pointed to their friends.

"They are happy," Carl nodded. "Do you want a photo with the lighthouse?" He asked holding up the camera.

"Please," Marianne nodded. "Shall I take yours next?" She asked him. Carl nodded and just as they were finishing up they heard Rilla called out.

They all settled near the lighthouse. The picnic basket unpacked and the quilt spread out on the grass as they all settle down and lounged. Picking at sandwiches and fruits that had been packed.

"Peggy's Cove, they say it was named after a shipwreck. The story goes the only survivor had been a woman named Margaret," Ken told them as they ate their lunch. "Peggy's Point is down at the lighthouse."

"What is this for again?" Rilla asked him as they sat on the old quilt next to her husband. Carl was sitting next to Marianne glancing over so often at her with a bashful look on his face.

"Articles about the hidden gem's in Nova Scotia," Ken told them. " While Cape Breton is beautiful. Most people don't know this place exists." Ken explains.

"How did you find out about this place?" Carl asked.

"One of my writer's mother was born out here," Ken replied. "He told me how to get here and where to go."

"You said you are from Toronto?" Carl asked Marianne. "Do you enjoy nature?"

"Yes, I met Rilla a few years back when she was visiting and we kept in touch," Marianne told him. "As for nature, I did enjoy the parks near my old home, the lake. It was hard for me to get out of the city to see anything more. Rilla is going to take me to the Island on Tuesday for the rest of the week. I've never been anywhere with so much green, it's refreshing."

"You're coming to the Island?" Carl looked over to Rilla and Ken.

"Just Marianne and I, Ken has to work," Rilla explained. "Just for a couple of days, we'll be at Ingleside with my parents."

"I will see you on the train and ferry most likely then," Carl told the women. "

"Do you want a ride to the station?" Rilla asked? "I can only imagine that you have a trunk full of heavens knows what."

"Oh no, I'll be fine I right new it anyway," Carl shook his head. "I am a research assistant for the conservation of Canada. I work with them and they pay for my schooling. " He explained to Marianne.

"How long has it been since you've been home?" Marianne asked Carl.

"Well, two years?" Carl said running through his golden-brown hair as he thought about it.

"You haven't seen Ceci since she was an infant," Ken stated.

"I haven't, and now there is Walter Jr," Carl nodded his head. "They are my niece and nephew," he explained to Marianne.

"Rilla has mentioned them occasionally in letters," Marianne replied taking a drink of her water. "You must be excited to see and meet them?"

"I am," Carl nodded. "Seems like Di and I are the odd ones out now between the family."

"Oh, Di is practically engaged to Jack Wright," Rilla filled him in.

"You are joking?" Carl's mouth dropped. "I am the now officially the lonely bachelor!"

"I'll let you in on a secret Carl, women are expensive, stay single." Ken joked as he guarded himself against his wife's wrath. Wrapping his arms around her laughing as she tried to poke him.