October update

Oh what a few weeks!
So, Ok, Brian liked Canada and I did not. Boring. He liked the history – and I, who like European history, and think North American history is dreadfully uninteresting, did not agree. Quebec was lovely – Ottowa had nice architecture – other than that, I am not sure that glass high rises are really my thing. Toronto sucked from an aesthetic point of view. Niagara Falls was not nearly as big as I remembered from when I was a kid. Big, but not AS big.
Luckily we met some wonderful folks – a couple from N.C, and a couple from Australia who were worth the trip. Great people and, since we plan to go to Australia in the next two years, they are a great contact. And friendly and intelligent.
Other than that it has been the usual whirlwind of activities. Our library book club started up at full speed again when David came back from his shore haunts. Discussion back on track and sparkling.
Alina spent two nights and we took her to the Philly Zoo. OK – nothing compares to the San Diego Zoo. Since I saw that zoo, all the rest have paled in comparison. But she loved it.
Went to the symphony and the orchestra played selections from Dutilleux, Liszt, and Prokofiev. OMIGOD was it a wonderful performance. We were mesmerized. Also went to the first opera performance which was Othello. Just OK – fairly weak voices. The soprano playing Desdemona saved it.
Did a presentation for the MA Dept of Mental Health in Worcester on my restraint issue material and then we did a B&B day plus a trip to the Museum of Russian Icons. Wow is all I can say. The museum is a little gem in the middle of MA nowheresville. We had the docent to ourselves and I was so entranced for the two hours that I nearly drooled. He just made it completely come alive for us. Otherwise it would have just been plain old pretty icons – with gold and silver.
Had dinner with Ted and Mary – Golly can she bake. She made an apple pastry that was so divine it could have ascended to heaven.
We had a Kosciuszko Foundation fundraiser at our home. Oh my! What fun and what a great group of folks. We had a Kosciuszko actor who was fabulous for the show (and his page) and wonderful Chopin music plus Polonaise dance lessons. Raised lots of $ and had one hell of a good time.