SUCH GOOD NEIGHBORS . . .

About six years ago my son and his wife emigrated to British Columbia, bought property there, built upon it, went into business there, real estate, he became a dual citizen and recently invited me to come and live near them in their island community. I even saw a property listed with them that would meet my needs and decided that although I'm getting on in life, it would be wonderful to have one last adventure.

I called the realtor who handled the sale of my house and the purchase of this condo, which I've never liked because of the many restrictions, and he began the process of evaluating it for sale. Since I'd been in it for over two years, I wouldn't have to pay capital gains taxes on the considerable increase in value and so "well heeled" I could move to canada. pay my own medical bills so as not to be a burden. and live near my family.

I made at least five calls preparatory to doing this and my daughter-in-law arranged to speak with an immigration attorney.

And there IT ENDED.

I can visit my family for six months, but I can't live with or near them because. . . guess what, I AM TOO OLD. I am 78-years old.

I"m not a terrorist. I'm not poor, I haven't got a criminal record or even a current driving accident or ticket. A quick hop via medivac to Seattle where Medicare would kick in would take care of any serious medical problems. But at 78, I'm too old.

As I recall a few years ago when I was considering this, the cut off age for medical insurance, even the private kind was 74 and I was 75. That I can understand but, to become a legal resident, to own property, to be with family and a community where they are well established???

I am TOO OLD.

Such good neighbors these Canadians.

When I sent a goodie box to my son for his birthday containing dried fruit, nuts chocolate and a good book it took a little while to get there but eventually made it. When He an his wife reciprocated on my birthday which was two weeks later the box they sent contained a wonderful fleecy thing to wear, four stephen King novels and two candles, off white, they looked a little like white chocolate. My son answered my unspoken question . . .what is this? . . .by saying that Canada cannot send any foodstuffs to the United States because of the threat of terrorism, although we can send such things to them. OPEN BORDERS? Well, not quite. Such good neighbors, these Canadians.

I don't get it. . .do you?

ABOUT WOMEN

My daughter asked me, one day to paint what I thought about women. this is her painting.

The idea took hold and I did an abstract image that simply grew by itself. As it was happening I kept taking pictures and ended up with this, now stored at my geocities web site . the title here is a hot link to it but here it is again just in case. .

http://www.geocities.com/artetal/become_women.html.

I just signed up to a WOMENS blog where I wanted to post it. I wanted to say something about women. . . and this is it, but am unable to figure out how to do it there. A single image is worth a thousand words they say. . .or is it only nine hundred.