"...Could it be the fresh sea air, a diet high in fish, a less stressful life, strong social networks, religious faith, a genetic predisposition to longevity, or a combination of all of the above?"
"...a part of Canada, the South Shore of Nova Scotia, (has) pockets of extreme longevity and more centenarians than elsewhere in the country. Across Canada, centenarians average 14.6 per 100,000; in Nova Scotia it's 21 per 100,000. Preliminary studies have shown the rate is higher in places like Lunenburg and Yarmouth – as many as 50 per 100,000, according to one researcher." (From an article in the Toronto Star June 6, 2006)
As we returned from the Farmer's Market, a lady was walking down the sloped sidewalk, and it wasn't until she was alongside that I realized it was our friend, Ruth, a revered and talented painter whose 90th birthday we'd attended in 2016! I knew she and her husband had moved to Lunenburg from MA many years ago, so, with a daughter living there, I wanted to know more details! Small World Moment? Heather is moving to the small town where Ruth grew up! She's about to arrive with the kids tonight, and as she's also an artist, I can't wait to take her to meet Ruth! Heather can take one of Ruth's paintings that we own and hang it in her new home, bringing full circle a bit of Ruth's Life Story! How's THAT for Provenance?!
I knew I'd run into friends at the Market, and I had to let Ken shop as I ran into and caught up with no less than 16 close friends! Then, at sunset, I was photographing a rainbow out front, and a man who is one of the most accomplished pianists I know, pulled his car up next to me and stayed to chat for an hour!
Son-in-law John asked this afternoon if we really *needed* to sell the house...everyone is suffering pangs, but he said that possibly, when he's ready to retire, they can come up and buy a smaller place... Perhaps the story will have a sequel after all!
Beautiful portrait of you both! A wonderful narrative Louise - I especially love the fact that Heather will have Ruth’s lovely painting in her new house. Full circle indeed! How wonderful that you are catching up with so many good friends! Xx
@maggiemae I recall you visited here a number of years ago...to me, it's such a charming town, I wouldn't want to pass away and miss anything!!! It's a hilly town, too, but instead of being in a retirement home, there she is, out for a walk! @summerfield You, too, know what a charming and peaceful town this is! Folks stay active here! She said the only change is that her son comes over once a day to walk her dog, no less than an immense Burmese Mountain Dog named Timmy!!! Me? Yes, worked on that slowly for a year with good success ; ) @kartia Today, with all my family here, we hope to savour every minute (as it really should be for anyone on any day!) I'm in great hope of adding to the photo collection with the kids together again! @koalagardens Ha! For sure! The oldest amongst us are out there for walks every day, and this is a very hilly town! I'd add that to the reasons they stay so healthy! They're also determined to live on their own and I know so many who do! They're self sufficient (with a dash of feistiness!)! @boxplayer Thank you for that! Ken's a part of my persona here because I find "selfies", especially like this, impossible! @bkbinthecity I have to give a nod to my co-photographer again! Thanks, Brian! @pamknowler I was so excited when I realized that! The one in the living room of the man in the red jacket walking toward the fish shack! I was a fave of Ruth's (said she wished she hadn't sold it), so it would be perfect to send back to her early roots! As for "catching up" with friends, I'm over the moon! @casablanca Your stories so often bring me delight, I'm glad I can reciprocate properly! I wish you had been able to visit here; I have so many stories I need to share with you someday! @joansmor Sweet, Joan! No shortage of friends up here! It's the reason I loved coming here for so long! Leaving would be all-but-impossible if I didn't believe we could come back to visit!
THANK YOU ALL for commenting! Sometimes personal photos of friends might not be as wonderful to the viewer as they are to the photographer, but I know Ruth here, has a wonderful story born of longevity!
Quiet a story. Needed Google translate to read it.
I think less stress, healthy natural foods and a austere life are the tools to growing old.
How nice it is to meet old friends, and share the past tales and future plans.
A lovely pic. of you both.
@summerfield You, too, know what a charming and peaceful town this is! Folks stay active here! She said the only change is that her son comes over once a day to walk her dog, no less than an immense Burmese Mountain Dog named Timmy!!! Me? Yes, worked on that slowly for a year with good success ; )
@kartia Today, with all my family here, we hope to savour every minute (as it really should be for anyone on any day!) I'm in great hope of adding to the photo collection with the kids together again!
@koalagardens Ha! For sure! The oldest amongst us are out there for walks every day, and this is a very hilly town! I'd add that to the reasons they stay so healthy! They're also determined to live on their own and I know so many who do! They're self sufficient (with a dash of feistiness!)!
@boxplayer Thank you for that! Ken's a part of my persona here because I find "selfies", especially like this, impossible!
@bkbinthecity I have to give a nod to my co-photographer again! Thanks, Brian!
@pamknowler I was so excited when I realized that! The one in the living room of the man in the red jacket walking toward the fish shack! I was a fave of Ruth's (said she wished she hadn't sold it), so it would be perfect to send back to her early roots! As for "catching up" with friends, I'm over the moon!
@casablanca Your stories so often bring me delight, I'm glad I can reciprocate properly! I wish you had been able to visit here; I have so many stories I need to share with you someday!
@joansmor Sweet, Joan! No shortage of friends up here! It's the reason I loved coming here for so long! Leaving would be all-but-impossible if I didn't believe we could come back to visit!
THANK YOU ALL for commenting! Sometimes personal photos of friends might not be as wonderful to the viewer as they are to the photographer, but I know Ruth here, has a wonderful story born of longevity!
I think less stress, healthy natural foods and a austere life are the tools to growing old.
How nice it is to meet old friends, and share the past tales and future plans.
A lovely pic. of you both.