You don’t realize how time and energy-consuming it is to set up the basics of life, life as we know it in the 21st century. Life, for me, includes an Internet connection, smartphone, and TV, a bank, credit card, driver’s license. I’m sorry it’s taken so long for this update.

Here’s my new digs in Ottawa. Not the downtown high-rise I wanted, but it’s nice inside. The front is an ordinary suburban street. The back faces an old apple orchard and miles of walking/biking paths in the Britania Conservation area.

My new digs
A row of two-story townhouses in the leafy suburbs of Ottawa-

Because public transportation is so good here, I decided to try and live without a car. I’m within minutes of a major bus hub, and here’s my walk through a field out my back door where there is a community garden.

The walking paths

There are Lyft and Uber, and a car-sharing service that I’ve subscribed to. Still, I walk a lot. A lot. My dog loves it. Much of the city looks like a city everywhere, but embassies and consulates are located here, giving it a stylish flavor, as it’s Canada’s national capital. (I know I should spell it “flavour” now.)

Here’s a photo of the mighty Ottawa River, which drains into the Great Lakes. I know I make it look like a creek. Just imagine what Mel Weinstein could do with a panorama like this?

Did I mention I can’t get Verizon to work here after three visits to the phone company? I did get a new account and new phone — a steep learning curve on both.

Surprises? Canadians like sweet iced tea. Ick.
No pennies in circulation. They round up to the nickel.

Fireflies in the grassy field full of flowers behind my townhouse. Fireflies at night. Thunder and lightning.

More. Much more to follow. A new novel? Slow progress. My email is now [email protected]. Let me know if you want my phone number.