All the pages in this diary read from first to last.

Although this is a diary from Canada, when I haven't done anything interesting, I like to send you a letter from friends in England - so click here to read the April letter from Dorset, U.K.

Tuesday 27th April 1999

Although there was considerable rain last week, there is no further forseeable precipitation. The TV weather reports we are under the influence of an "Omega High", which is keeping rain from us. Our reservoirs are dreadfully low, for the time of year. Our streets and gardens are dust dry. Already the local council has imposed a kind of water rationing: those with even numbers can water gardens on even numbered days and vice-versa, at hours of the evening and very early morning. Due to accelerated global warming, this area is supposed to become desert within the next generation. So, Guelph planners continue to cheerfully "grow" the city. Makes one wonder where they trained to become planners.

Monday 26th April 1999

Still coughing and unable to sleep. Last night I even went so far as to call Rhona Raskin at about 2 in the morning, to complain bitterly about people who spread their colds at work. Rhona and Matthew were sympathetic to my annoyance. Fortunately they are among those happy souls who do not frequently catch colds. Rhona thought perhaps my cold-prone disposition was due to my continuing sadness. That makes sense, but one feeds upon the other and it's a Catch 22 situation. See link to Rhona's Website at the end of this page.

This morning I had to call and cancel a bus trip. I had been really looking forward to this trip - to see the spring blossoms and visit Niagara Falls again. Believe me .. the person who gave me this stinking cold is going to pay for this inconsiderate behaviour big time! I'm so happy to be in a position to fire the idiot.

Sunday 25th April 1999

I have the dreaded four monthly cold/flu. Haven't been out at all for a couple of days, haven't been able to sleep. Nothing seems to stop this terrible grinding cough.

Oh well, Rogers' Cable TV were kind enough to give me an extra set of channels yesterday. This morning I spent a totally unproductive few hours watching two episodes of The Neverending Story. Really enjoyed that. About the only thing stops the cough is sitting still and keeping warm.

At least the weather is lovely. .. and, we had a couple of days of rain. I did manage to stagger around the garden and sprinkle some grass seed. This winter has apparently been very hard on the lawns, most of which have turned to mud patches.

Saturday 17th April 1999

Over the past few days we have had, thank goodness, quite a lot of rain. The snow, which fell heavily last Sunday, soon melted. The North American Robins, which are migratory, returned late in March and are now happily singing and nesting.

As you can see from these pictures of the North American Robin, they do not really resemble the European Robin. They certainly do not sing its' sweet little song. They belong to the thrush family.

May 2010
	dog and fountain
	back garden south
	back garden north

There's a link to a beautiful site for north american birds and animals, at the end of this page. But, even he does not appear to have a photograph of the North American robin. I wonder how he managed to scan his 35 mm transparencies. I have found my transparencies to be a waste of time. Without a viewer and screen they are difficult to see.

Sunday 11th April 1999

When God created the program for Canada's weather, He must have been in a very strange mood. After yesterday's lovely sunshine and clear skies, today we are back to winter. Wind-chill of -10ºC thunder storms, high winds, ice pellets, then heavy wet snow!

Saturday 10th April 1999

Incredibly lovely day again. This afternoon decided to drive to Stratford, Ontario. There is a Samsonite Travel Store and Factory Outlet there, where Samsonite sell slightly off standard luggage (as well as their regular luggage) at substantial discounts. To get there from Guelph the best way is to get on the 401. The exit to No. 7 and 8 is well signposted. This used to lead through Kitchener, but now the new highways are easily travelled and quickly lead straight into Stratford. It's such a big, clear road, with rolling countryside on either side .. Almost like flying, I thought, rather sadly.

The Samsonite Factory is on the left, on the main road No. 7, going into town. They had huge displays of lovely suitcases and luggage, but I was totally spoilt for choice and will have to go back again some other time.

After that I decided to take the puppy for a walk by the Shakespeare Theatre and around the park. A block or two further down the road, there is a big Chinese restaurant (now closed) on the right. Go down the street beside that restaurant. There is the park and Avon River at the end of the street and ample free public parking on the right.

Sue had a great time wrestling and running with the other dogs. Then I had to put her on the lead. Just the same she was in the river, fetching sticks. As she has a white coat it always surprises me how clean she is. Teflon fur ?

Friday 9th April 1999

I really enjoy reading the Columnists. Someone sent the following from the San Pablo Catholic Church Bulletin:

If you can start the day without caffeine,
If you can get going without pep pills,
If you can resist complaining and boring people with your troubles,
If you can eat the same food every day and be grateful for it,
If you can understand when your loved ones are too busy to give you any time,
If you can overlook it when something goes wrong through no fault of yours and those you love take it out on you,
If you can take criticism and blame without resentment,
If you can ignore a friend's limited education and never correct him,
If you can resist treating a rich friend better than a poor friend,
If you can face the world without lies and deceit,
If you can conquer tension without medical help,
If you can relax without liquor,
If you can sleep without the aid of drugs,
If you can say honestly that deep in your heart you have no prejudice against creed, colour, religion or politics,
Then, my friends, you are almost as good as your dog.

This is not entirely true either. My dog is highly judgmental and descriminatory at times. He also gets very hurt and angry. If I take the puppy out and leave him on house guard he digs the garden and barks at my neighbours all afternoon! He refuses to eat the same food every day. I have to try to vary it.

Return to other months of Diary from Canada at http://www.sentex.net~oficserv/Canlet.html

Visit a site for many photographs of North American Birds and animals.

Rhona Raskin Home Page at http://www.rhona.com.