The last few days have been busier than I'd hoped. Much of the visiting family left yesterday and today in typical mass exodus fashion. Today was the hardest though. Mom left to go back to Victoria. As much as I've been planning all this, it still seems difficult to get it all to sink in. Now it seems the trip has begun.

Yesterday the family went over to St. James for a visit to the farm market and outlet mall. An odd combination of shopping experiences in which you can get everything from Amish food and crafts to local produce and almost designer clothing. The trip involved the usual work of hearding cats (I mean family). And there's not a single stubborn bone in any of the Higham's bodies; they all are.

I have to insert a note here about a visit that my mom, my uncle Brock and myself paid to some family friends yesterday morning. Paddy and Richard are some of the most remarkable people I know. Paddy (Aka the Nightgown Fairy) is turning 90 this month as well, and has lived more than half her life with extreme arthritis. I don't believe there's a joint in her body that's hasn't been replaced, at least once. She's also one of my original inspirations for my travel advetures. Richard has the biggest heart ever, despite maintaining the nickname: the grinch. He also got his law degree at 80 years of age. My hats off to you both!

The next four days will most likely be spent with family in Guelph, and the Monday/Tuesday with my cousin Corina in Toronto. I'm looking forward to a rest and the a change of scenery heading into a larger series of adventures.