Book ~ "The Widow's Guide to Dead Bastards" (2024) Jessica Waite

From Goodreads ~ A widow’s life is turned upside when she uncovers the truth about her late husband in this lyrical, witty and deeply moving memoir of tragedy and betrayal.

In the midst of mourning her husband’s sudden death, writer Jessica Waite discovered shocking secrets that undermined everything she thought she knew about the man she’d loved and trusted. From uncovered affairs to drug use and a pornography addiction, Waite was overwhelmed reconciling this devastating information with her new reality as a widowed single mom. Then to further complicate matters, strange inexplicable coincidences forced her to consider whether her husband was reaching back from beyond the grave.

Jessica was a housewife and mom to Dash. Sean, her husband, travelled for work regularly from their home in Calgary to Denver. Their life wasn't perfect ... there were times when Sean would freak out and be verbally abusive and threaten to leave but never did. On the day Jessica is expecting Sean to be on a flight heading home, she gets a call that he had passed away suddenly in Denver. Not surprisingly she's shocked and has to deal with his death, his life insurance, close up his apartment in Denver and get his belongings home, and more. As this is happening, Jessica discovers that not only did Sean have a porn addiction but he was also unfaithful numerous times to her (and even had a girlfriend). So in addition to dealing with her grief, she has to also deal with his betrayal.

I thought this would be an interesting memoir and it was for the most part. I thought the writing was okay, though found it was a bit draggy at times especially in the second half. I can see why Jessica would be hurt, feel betrayed and pissed but she also had to think about protecting Sean's memory for their son and his family. It got a bit airy fairy as Jessica looked for answers and wondered whether Sean was trying to contact her when, for example, the lights flickered and electronics turned themselves on. She visited psychics and other spiritual people looking for answers. It sounds like she found what she was looking for and has found peace and forgiveness, though it seemed like she was taking some of the blame for Sean's "bastard" behaviour. As a head's up, there is swearing.

Knitted Twisted Hat

I knitted another twisted hat. It’s a fun and easy pattern once you get into the repetitive groove. I used Caron Anniversary Cake and the colour is Rainbow Prismatic.

I found the pattern here.

I converted the pattern because the yarn is thicker than the pattern. I used 6.5 needles and 6 ply yarn. 

Hat is worked in the round on double pointed needles or circular needles.

Cast on 84 stitches. Place marker for beginning of round. 

Ribbing Round: 

[K1 through the back loop, p1] around. Repeat ribbing round for 8 rounds..

Round 1: Change to larger needles and knit.
Round 2: [K2, yo, k2, k2tog] around.
Repeat round 2 for 30 rounds.

Shape Crown

• Decrease round 1: [K2tog, yo, k2, k2tog] repeat
• Next round: [K1, yo, k2, k2tog] repeat
• Decrease round 2: [K1, yo, k2tog k2tog] repeat
• Next round: [K1, yo, k1, k2tog] repeat
• Decrease round 3: [K2, k2tog] repeat
• Decrease round 4: [K1, k2tog] repeat
• Decrease round 5: [K2tog] repeat

Cut yarn, leaving a long tail. Thread yarn through remaining sts and pull to gather. Secure end. Weave in ends.

ABBREVIATIONS
k = knit

k2tog = knit 2 sts together

p = purl

St st = Stockinette stitch

st(s) = stitch(es)

yo = yarn over

The Irish Harp, Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON

Gord and I spent a few days (Wednesday until today) in Niagara-on-the-Lake and stayed in the County Down room above the The Irish Harp. 

There are three rooms and in the hallway with a shared Kerig coffee maker, microwave and water. Every morning they leave a pile of clean towels, etc. outside your door. WIFI was complimentary and speedy, though we had to sign in every day.

For every night you stay, you get a $25 voucher to be used in their pub, which we did Wednesday night (our voucher was $75). It's a handy spot because it's downtown and walkable to everything. Parking is free if you can find a spot on a nearby street (which we did).

The last two years we've stayed in their County Derry room and we thought we'd change it up this year and stay in County Down ... it's a smaller room. It's an older building and the floors were uneven ... it was downhill a bit to get to the bathroom and then uphill to get to the toilet. Ha! As a head's up, the room is right over the stage so it was loud but we didn't mind. There was bingo on Wednesday night (over at 11pm) and bands on Thursday night over at 11pm) and last night (over at 11:45pm). So it you are looking for quiet, you shouldn't stay here. I probably wouldn't stay in this room again because it was nice to have the extra space in County Derry and it was quieter at night.

The Olde Angel Inn, Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON

Gord and I had supper this evening at the pub in the Olde Angel Inn. It was a busy spot and we were seated in the back room.

I had a turkey clubhouse (look at all that turkey!) and swapped out my fries for mashed potatoes.

Gord had mac ‘n cheese with crab.

Both were good.

Wineries Tour, Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON

Gord and I spent the afternoon doing winery tours with with Niagara Wine Tours International ... Tracy was our guide. We had done winery tours with them last year. We stopped at three wineries.

Riverview Cellars Estate Winery was our first stop. We got to pick 4 wines we wanted to try. Gord and I both chose a 2021 Riesling, a 2022 Astra Riesling and a Gerwürtraminer ice wine. I had a 2020 Barrel 81 Cabernet-Merlot while Gord had a Gerwürtraminer. Lovely setting on the porch. The glasses were arranged according to sweetness.

Knitted Twisted Hat

I knitted another twisted hat. It’s a fun and easy pattern once you get into the repetitive groove. I used Caron Anniversary Cake and the colour is Rainbow Prismatic.

I found the pattern here.

I converted the pattern because the yarn is thicker than the pattern. I used 6.5 needles and 6 ply yarn. 

Hat is worked in the round on double pointed needles or circular needles.

Cast on 84 stitches. Place marker for beginning of round. 

Ribbing Round: 

[K1 through the back loop, p1] around. Repeat ribbing round for 8 rounds..

Round 1: Change to larger needles and knit.
Round 2: [K2, yo, k2, k2tog] around.
Repeat round 2 for 30 rounds.

Shape Crown

• Decrease round 1: [K2tog, yo, k2, k2tog] repeat
• Next round: [K1, yo, k2, k2tog] repeat
• Decrease round 2: [K1, yo, k2tog k2tog] repeat
• Next round: [K1, yo, k1, k2tog] repeat
• Decrease round 3: [K2, k2tog] repeat
• Decrease round 4: [K1, k2tog] repeat
• Decrease round 5: [K2tog] repeat

Cut yarn, leaving a long tail. Thread yarn through remaining sts and pull to gather. Secure end. Weave in ends.

ABBREVIATIONS
k = knit

k2tog = knit 2 sts together

p = purl

St st = Stockinette stitch

st(s) = stitch(es)

yo = yarn over

Book ~ "When the World Fell Silent" (2024) Donna Jones Alward

From Goodreads ~ A story of loss, hope and redemption against the most impossible odds. 1917. Halifax, Nova Scotia.

Nora Crowell wants more than her sister’s life as a wife and mother. As WWI rages across the Atlantic, she becomes a lieutenant in the Canadian Army Nursing Corp. But trouble is looming and it won’t be long before the truth comes to light.

Having lost her beloved husband in the trenches and with no one else to turn to, Charlotte Campbell now lives with his haughty relations who treat her like the help. It is baby Aileen, the joy and light of her life, who spurs her to dream of a better life.

When tragedy strikes in Halifax Harbour, nothing for these two women will ever be the same again. Their paths will cross in the most unexpected way, trailing both heartbreak and joy its wake.

It's 1917 and Nora is a nurse with the Canadian Army Nursing Corp in Halifax, Nova Scotia. She is living with her sister and her sister's family and while she loves them, that's not the life she wants. She loves being a nurse and is very good at it. Charlotte's husband was killed overseas and since she has no family, she and her baby are forced to lived with her in-laws who treat her like a servant.

As if Halifax didn't have enough going on as an important port during WWI, the Halifax Explosion happened ... two ships collided in the harbour and wiped out much of the north end of Halifax, killing and wounding many.

As a nurse, Nora is tending to the wounded while wondering whether her family survived the explosion since she knew they were heading to the waterfront. Charlotte wakes up in the hospital and doesn't know whether her baby or in-laws survived the explosion. What follows is how Nora and Charlotte react to the ramifications of the disaster.

I like history and since I'm originally from Nova Scotia and knew about the Halifax Explosion, I thought it would be interesting to see how it would incorporated into a novel. I think the author did a good job describing what was happening and what everyone must have been going through before, during and after the explosion. It is written in first person perspective in Nora and Charlotte's voices. They had tough decisions to make and did what they had to do given their circumstances.

Niagara-on-the-Lake Golf Club, Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON

Gord and I had supper this evening at the restaurant at the Niagara-on-the-Lake Golf Club. It is apparently the oldest existing golf course in North America … it opened in 1875.

"Witness for the Prosecution", Royal George Theatre, Niagara-on-the-Lake

Gord and I saw Witness for the Prosecution at the Royal George Theatre in Niagara-on-the-Lake this afternoon. 

When a wealthy, older woman is found brutally murdered, there is only one suspect: her handsome, charming and much-younger lover. Sure, he has a motive, but did he actually do it? Due to a strict, no-spoilers policy, we can’t answer that question. Here’s what we can say: the play is full of clever twists, witty dialogue and rising tension. If you’re a fan of riveting courtroom dramas, don’t miss this shocker.

It was very good. It was close to the movie but had some humour. 

Sunset Grill Restaurant, Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON

Gord and I had brunch this morning at Sunset Grill in Niagara-on-the-Lake.

Gord had bacon and eggs and a fruit bowl instead of home fries and I got a BLT (minus lettuce) and home fries. Yum! 

Jennifer was very friendly and took good care of us.

The Irish Harp, Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON

Gord and I had supper this evening at The Irish Harp in Niagara-on-the-Lake.

I had Gold Medal Chicken Curry (chicken | yellow curry | jasmine rice | mango chutney | bread). Mine was okay.

Knitted Twisted Hat

I knitted another twisted hat. It’s a fun and easy pattern once you get into the repetitive groove. I used Caron Anniversary Cake and the colour is Rainbow Prismatic.

I found the pattern here.

I converted the pattern because the yarn is thicker than the pattern. I used 6.5 needles and 6 ply yarn. 

Hat is worked in the round on double pointed needles or circular needles.

Cast on 84 stitches. Place marker for beginning of round. 

Ribbing Round: 

[K1 through the back loop, p1] around. Repeat ribbing round for 8 rounds..

Round 1: Change to larger needles and knit.
Round 2: [K2, yo, k2, k2tog] around.
Repeat round 2 for 30 rounds.

Shape Crown

• Decrease round 1: [K2tog, yo, k2, k2tog] repeat
• Next round: [K1, yo, k2, k2tog] repeat
• Decrease round 2: [K1, yo, k2tog k2tog] repeat
• Next round: [K1, yo, k1, k2tog] repeat
• Decrease round 3: [K2, k2tog] repeat
• Decrease round 4: [K1, k2tog] repeat
• Decrease round 5: [K2tog] repeat

Cut yarn, leaving a long tail. Thread yarn through remaining sts and pull to gather. Secure end. Weave in ends.

ABBREVIATIONS
k = knit

k2tog = knit 2 sts together

p = purl

St st = Stockinette stitch

st(s) = stitch(es)

yo = yarn over

Knitted hat

I knitted a man's family hat. I used Caron Anniversary Cake and the colour is Rainbow Prismatic. 

I found the pattern here and it was an easy pattern. 

I adjusted the pattern so I could knit it on circular needles and avoid having to sew the seam at the end and didn't do a pompom.

Cast on 60 stitches. 

• 1st row: *K1. P1*. Repeat to end of row.
• Repeat this row 7 more times.

Proceed in stocking stitch until work from beg measures 6 inches/15 cm.

Shape crown: 

• 1st row: *K2tog. K2*. Repeat to end of row.
• 2nd row: Knit.
• 3rd row: Knit.
• 4th row: Knit.
• 5th row: *K2tog. K1*. Repeat to end of row.
• 6th row: Knit.
• 7th row: Knit.
• 8th row: Knit.
• 9th row: K2tog. Repeat to end of row.
• 10th row: *K2tog. Repeat to end of row.

Break yarn, leaving a long end. Thread end through remaining stitches. Draw up and fasten securely.