This weekend, I harvested a first crop of rhubarb.
This took me to the bookshelf and ‘Out of Old Nova Scotia Kitchens’ page 131, Rhubarb Cobbler and Apple Crisp or Levi’s Pie. Apple Crisp is my ‘go to’ crumble recipe. This time, I replaced Apple with Rhubarb. Two desserts.
Another harvestable crop is kale. Our six plants overwintered into perennials. This allows me to supplement my Shepherd’s Pie recipe.
If we get some rain, on a long weekend, there should be time to plant out brussel sprouts, tomatoes, peas, potatoes and a number of other seeds.
May 22nd is a significant date in our family calendar: my daughter Laurel’s birthday and now a virtual wedding shower for Daisy. These two happenings bring together some of the flower power in the extended family: Heather, Laurel, Daisy, Poppy, Isla Rose.
Besides harvesting, planting, cooking and eating on a dull long weekend, I have been thinking about the health services at this end of Annapolis County. Even accepting the limitations due to COVID, the level of health service for families without a family doctor is TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE.
In normal circumstances, the best solution would be to move elsewhere. Heather and I have good memories of the quality of the health services in other locations: Haida Gwaii (BC), Churchill (Manitoba) and Iqaluit (Nunavut). All remote parts of Canada. What is the basis of the health service problem in Nova Scotia? Is it cultural? Is it urban vs rural?
It will be a sad day, if we have to move (yet again) because of the lack of health services in rural Nova Scotia.
Postscript
For more background statistics, see Paul Schneidereitv Family doctor shortage skyrockets over past year, Saltwire, Saturday May 22, 2021.
Check out Trish Fry, Bloom Report for Annapolis Royal Historic Gardens, May 22, 2021. In particular, the section on heritage apple varieties.
Acknowledgements
References
Edward: you may want to add a couple of recipe links. Heather shares the planting, harvesting, cooking and eating.
Marie Nightingale, 1972, Out of Old Nova Scotia Kitchens, Charles Scribner’s.
Jenny Osburn, 2017, The Kitchen Party Cookbook, Gaspereau Press. Also The Union Street Cafe Cookbook.
From Joel Plaskett: “Nova Scotia is a great place to live and eat. This book is the proof in the pudding !”
Ernest Blair Experiment 
Bob
We are still waiting for some movement from the ACFA. Maybe you and I could talk again in another week or so.
If the strawberries are out when you pick your next crop of rhubarb, strawberry/rhubarb is a great combo. Favourite of the Ontario Memonites (Leslie’s ancestors.)
Brian
Brian Arnott Principal Novita Interpares | Leaf + Branch
novitainterpares.ca >
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Brian: I bought strawberries this morning at Avery’s from CALIFORNIA ! Oh dear. Shop local, buy local. Ready to talk , anytime. It’s planting time in the Valley. A drop of rain helps, too. Bob
Sent from my iPad
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