It has been eight months since my last post! My life is the same and yet completely changed.
Instead of traversing the Mexican mountains last winter I worked daily on a book that I am writing full of blueberry recipes and farm life stories. I hope to have it finished and published by next summer. My daughter Sabrina, who is a talented and accomplished writer and editor is editing it for me. We are super excited about it! More on that in a few months.
My life is still full of blueberries, although this year not quite as full. The late frost combined with gazillions of gross Gypsy moth caterpillars decimated my plants and blooms and, even with intervention, resulted in a 70% loss of berries. But we dealt with the disappointment and moved on. At least we had some good rain in July and are hoping for a stellar crop next year.
What is new and life changing is the arrival of my first grandchild, Cadia. I even look at my house through a different lens – my big, old, rambling farmhouse now feels like a perfect grandmothers house. Due on my 60th birthday, she made her grand entrance a week and a half later on July 29th – and she is a beauty! My son Colin and his partner Sharlie are great parents and love her to pieces! As all parents know, having a baby changes your life and you experience a depth of emotion previously unknown. What I never would have guessed is that you love a grandchild as much as you love your own kids! Who knew! Well, I guess all grandparents knew…and now I do too.
I’m thrilled to introduce my granddaughter, Cadia.
The Flip Side of Fifty 
Just wonderful CHEERS
On Fri, Sep 17, 2021 at 5:34 PM The Flip Side of Fifty wrote:
> arlenekeith posted: ” It has been eight months since my last post! My life > is the same and yet completely changed. Instead of traversing the Mexican > mountains last winter I worked daily on a book that I am writing full of > blueberry recipes and farm life stories.” >
Thanks Gord!
What a sweet little girl!!! Her mother is beautiful!! And Sabrina is Judy. What a treat to see her. The boys are no longer boys but men. Thanks for sharing your wonderful, very wonderful news.
Thanks Sue! Ya she’s a real doll. Sabrina is indeed the spitting image of mom. And Shar looks stunning. Right after I gave birth I looked like Godzilla on a bad day. And the boys are def men now. How did it all happen so fast?? Crazy!
Arlene! This e-mail was terrific to see – everyone will be delighted. A keeper! xoxoxo Mama Bear
>
Thanks sweet mama bear. 😘
Beautiful family. Congratulations Grandma Arlene😘🤗
Thanks very much my dear friend! 😘
What a beautiful family! Congrats to the new parents, grand maman and aunt and uncle.
Bill and Joanne.
Thanks very much! It would sure be great to see you folks again. Lots of hugs! Arlene
What a blessing ! Bejng a grandma looks very good on you Arlene !
Congratulations to the family 💖 Welcome little one you are do loved!
Thanks very much Shelley! She is indeed a loved little girl. 💚
Congratulations to the whole family ! Arlene …. being a grandma looks very good on you!
Welcome little one…you are loved!! 💖
Congrats new grandma! Baby Cade is lovely and it was nice to see pictures of your children.
On Fri, Sep 17, 2021 at 5:40 PM The Flip Side of Fifty wrote:
> arlenekeith posted: ” It has been eight months since my last post! My life > is the same and yet completely changed. Instead of traversing the Mexican > mountains last winter I worked daily on a book that I am writing full of > blueberry recipes and farm life stories.” >
Thanks Monique! She is a little jem. Time sure passes quickly. I’d love to get together for a visit. It’s been to long. Xoxo.