Cousins....

I went to the Parliament Buildings this evening with my cousin Margie, her husband Onno, and sons Eric and Kevin. We went to see the cats. Behind the Parliament Buildings, on the cliff overlooking the Ottawa River, there is a sanctuary for stray cats, where they get shelter and food. I've only ever been there in the summer before.

There were quite a few cats there, looking plush and content.

There were also quite a few raccoons, who had more or less taken over once of the structures, where they were happily eating cat food. The cats seemed happy to tolerate them.

Raccoons, here in centretown! I never would have expected it.

Lunch....

Tasia had a lunch party at her house and invited all her friends. What a wonderful time! I discussed "The Return of the King" with Tasia, Donna, Harry, Beulah, and Jim, all of whom have seen it now. Enjoyed hearing Tasia and Harry argue (with complete good nature) current events and politics concerning Iraq, from polar opposite points of view. I wish more people could disagree about politics with such humour and good nature!

The food was fantastic: much of it home made, much of it Greek, all of it delicious. I brought rice salad which received much praise and requests for the recipe. I'd mostly thrown it together with what I still had in the fridge, using the Harrowsmith recipe as a rough guide. I should write it down before I forget.

Though I didn't know all Tasia's friends they had extraordinary good manners, introducing themselves with a handshake, and I didn't feel as shy as I usually do with strangers.

I said I would have a Firefly party soon and there was much enthusiasm.