Aunts, Uncles and Cousins

On my last day at Millefleurs Lavender and Honey Farm in Prince Edward County I saw a deer in the lavender field. 

I include this picture because shortly after this, Wilma called to me saying I had visitors! It was Aunt Marion and Uncle Jim! It was so nice to see them. Aunt Marion and I shared the problem of "not hugging."

Jim took a picture of us "distancing" by two metres, and not hugging. Unfortunately, the picture didn't turn out, so we can't prove it! So I included the picture of the deer.

     I went to visit my aunt, Gail, who is a year younger than me and who recently became widowed when her husband (my "other" Uncle Pete) died unexpectedly. She works in a grocery store, so we allowed ourselves to visit each other without the two metres. It was wonderful to be with her and I got to spend time with my cousin Shanda while I was there too! Shanda looks so much like her Dad, who she is, of course, missing. Because Gail and I are the same age, we grew up more like cousins, and so Shanda is more the age of my kids. 

While Gail was at work, I went next door to Uncle Pete and Aunt Carol's house for lunch. We kept distant. I ate at one end of the table and they at the other. Here are Uncle Pete and I hugging at a distance:

Aunt Carol and I two metres apart:

I was visiting Gail and Shanda for about a day and a half and it was very hard to say goodbye to Gail. I know she is mourning and there is little I can do for her. She's very strong and independent, but Pete was much loved and is greatly missed. He was a gentleman, very fond of horses and dogs, and steadfastly connected to his family. It's not easy 

for her.

Isn't she beautiful? Yes, she's little, but she's a black belt in Taekwondo, and even though she's out of practice, I wouldn't mess with her.

I've been lucky in this year of adventure to be able to see aunts, uncles and cousins! This visit with Gail and Shanda, Uncle Pete and Aunt Carol was wonderful. Seeing Aunt Marion was too! And last summer, seeing Aunt Sheila and sweet cousin Craig.

Rest in peace, dear "Other Uncle Pete"