THIS EVENING...

I sat alone on my gallery outside tonight. It was dark, and warm; a perfect spring evening. I listened to the whip-o-will, felt the wind gently lifting my hair, and watched the crescent moon flit behind and out again from a fluffy cloud. How many nights over the years have I spent out there listening to the drowsy sounds of my bush?

But tonight’s difference was glaring.

I miss my doggies. This is the first spring in a long, long time without Grump sitting quietly beside me. And my energetic Smooch, whose gallop I could hear as he would enthusiastically race around the house again and again before attacking me with his puppy love and kisses....Or Bud, the terrible Budinski , dropping stones at my feet, tail wagging, waiting for praise of his perfectly delivered gift.....

I can name others. Ben and Beef and Gidoune and Kojak and Pooch and King and Skippy and Bruno and Paddy....all four legged bundles of pure devotion.

Bandit, my adopted kitty, did join me, but not for long. Something rustled in the bush and he was gone. I watched him stalking silently, then called to him, worried that a little chipmunk was going to meet its end. He listened as cat’s do...NOT! I like all animals, but I am definitely a dog-person.

I think it’s time to visit a shelter. I’m sure there is a canine heart waiting there just for me....

Sending y’all sleepy SMILES!

Luv from the Bush in Quebec.

YEP! STILL ALIVE!

Great Scott! Already over a month since I last posted!! Time shifted to turbo gear without me noticing. Today I went into Blogit to read, as I do nearly every day, and found a new comment made from Justi on my post from Easter. It made me think. Wow – she must really miss me if she’s going back that far to read earlier posts. Then I realized how few times I have posted since then (hanging head here).

I LOVE my job, but it is very demanding. I knew it would be before accepting the position – I’ve been doing work at home for this client (boss) for years, and was well aware that he never stops, and hires only people who can keep up to him, and he is an accountant’s worst nightmare, LOL! My new office is a 40 minute drive through back roads if I choose to go that way, and I can gaze out at trees and yards and wear jeans everyday if I wish. The co-workers sharing this office are not slackers and are a decent sort, now that they have accepted and clearly adapted to the change of owners. What an enormous difference from where I was last year at this time!! By the way, I should add here that my insomnia is practically cured. Morpheus is a pretty regular bedfellow now.

Little great grandson, Zack, joined our family this month, the count now at three new babies since December 29th. I was at the airport at 1:00 AM this morning with my son and my Japanese DIL and sweet Miko to greet her maternal grandparents for the first time. They are enchanted by this beautiful little girl, as are we all, and will be able to spoil her for the next four weeks before returning to Japan. True to their culture, they had loads of huge suitcases crammed with gifts and special packages for their loved and rarely seen daughter and family, therefore the need for two vehicles to get passengers and cargo back to my son’s house safely. I finally drove home (they live 90 minutes away) and got to bed at 5:30 this morning. That was 25 straight hours without sleep, but I was still on the high from all that love being spread around, so it didn’t matter.

My daughter’s youngest son, Raph the sports fanatic, is working in the area for the summer and has moved into Helen’s room upstairs. He has his own car now, and works as a busboy from 4 to midnight, then hangs out with his friends, so he was here most of the week and we didn’t even see each other; just our shoes by the door told us who was home and who wasn’t. However, we leave little notes – like “Sorry Mémère, I got up late and didn’t have time to wash my dishes. Will do them when I get home”, and my answer “That’s ok, Raph. Neither did Mémère have time, as you can see! You can do mine too.” with a smiley face...and it’s great fun just knowing he’s part of my landscape again.

Now that I have started writing, I’ve turned into a windbag! Oops! I do have lots to tell you, but will leave it for another post. This one is ending with all those SMILES I’ve saved up and am sending out – they are skimming over the clouds...making their way to your doors. Some hugs went out with them, so if you feel a sudden warmth, that’ll be me!!

Luv from the Bush in Quebec.

I'VE CAUGHT A BUG...

It was early when I showed up to deliver their Easter Eggs, and of course the Rug Rats were up and bouncing around. I accepted the invitation for coffee, chatted with my son and DIL, reaching out to snare one grandson, then another, as they skipped past where we were sitting. The youngest, Tao, gave me a chocolate wrapped heart. After a proper thank you hug, I put it into my white vest pocket, then promptly forgot it. It was only when doing laundry later in the day that I found it...thankfully BEFORE throwing the vest in with the white load. That was luck, because I very rarely check my own pockets – there is never anything in them – but I just happened to pick the vest up by that exact spot and felt the candy. Oof!

My niece and her daughter dropped out with a friend for an hour or so, but had another supper invitation that they had already accepted. My call had been a spontaneous one; I hadn’t planned on buying that turkey, remember? So there was no let-down really. The turkey got cooked anyway, stuffing and all, but I was not feeling so well yesterday, so the biggest part of it will be sandwiches and soup this week. I ended up in bed before the hockey game was over (SICK!) and spent the night up and down, aching and lamenting.

My back is still sore today. It’s a bug going around. My friend had it last week, but he just goes and hides on the couch when he’s ill, very rarely complains at all. Fortunately he has been around long enough to know that I need to be babied when it’s my turn, LOL.

I sent condolences from the Blogit family to Sam this morning by text, so she’ll know that we’re thinking of her. I also used the internet to post a message to her on the board at the Funeral parlour where the service was being held.

I was supposed to tell you about my new office, but it’ll be for next time. I can only sit for short periods before my back makes it most uncomfortable. I’m going to crawl into the Jacuzzi now – that does help – then see if I can’t find Morpheus. It’s back to work tomorrow, and I want to be in shape.

Hope you all enjoyed your Easter holiday, and sending y’all a SMILE to wind it down.

Luv from the Bush in Quebec.

ON THIS EASTER.

It was a quiet day; some housework, some office work, a little grocery shopping; all good, except that groceries cost an arm and a leg now. I had my list and was determined to buy ONLY what was on that list, but...April 1st was the 10th anniversary of my Mom’s moving on, and it is Easter, her second favourite holiday (Thanksgiving was the number one), and there were turkeys in the middle of the aisle...so I didn’t hesitate long. I bought one and it will grace the table tomorrow for supper. Here’s to you, Mom.

Those in my Blogit community will remember Sam. With her we went through the torment of her youngest, Christopher, being away at war, the struggle to get her house, her crazy videos and absorbing poetry, her love of the Detroit Red Wings...

She hasn’t posted for a long time, but she and I have kept in touch through texting, usually during hockey games. This season not so much, so today it was a pleasant surprise to hear my cellular whistle; it is the special signal that tells me Sam is sending a message. It wasn’t good news though. Her sister, the one who was her rock, who helped her out so much, died suddenly of an aneurism last Thursday. She is hurting. Sudden loss like that can be devastating.

Mik, her oldest son, and her daughter, Jes, are flying with her to the funeral for Monday. Christopher will meet her there and she will then spend a week with him and her grandchild – the best thing that could happen in these circumstances.

The second signal beeping from my cell was my son, little Miko’s daddy, who was sending me pictures of our brave girl. Every morning the first thing I do is check my phone for a wake-up photo ‘for Mémère’. It is a wonderful way to start the day. It’s even better when I get a second batch.

Early tomorrow I’ll be dropping off Easter eggs for my Rug rats, and collecting hugs, of course. My niece and her daughter will be coming back to the bush to share the turkey and to spend some time with us – it has been so long since their last visit too. I’m looking forward to the gabfest.

I’ll try to come back in by Monday and give you some news about my new office location, but until then I want to wish you all a HAPPY EASTER!! The bunny is already on his way to your door delivering my SMILES – he won’t be hard to recognize. Coming from Quebec at this time of year, he will be wearing a fur coat.

Luv from the Bush in Quebec.

HIERARCHY

The family/friend gathering in the bush last Saturday was even more pleasurable because of the new babies. Miko and Alice were presented, much cuddled, and both little girls took it in stride, It wasn’t the first time for Léna, who is already 15 months old, but she discovered more friends, and got her share of attention too. The Rug Rats, after the initial hug for mémère on arrival, are oldest of the crew and maybe because they are of the male species decided to hole up on the other side of the house away from the crowd. Any kissy-kissy on their parts is now restricted to private moments.

I had a plate in each hand, heading for the already laden table, when Bali (the middle rug rat – the one who pushes the envelope) suddenly appeared before me.

“Mémère, can I play with your ipad?” he asked me, fixing me with those big, blue eyes.
“Where is it, Bali? Is it in the living room?” When he nodded, I told him to go ahead, but to be careful, and he went running off. It was only a few minutes later that I realized he hadn’t smiled at the permission; his expression had been more that of a ‘boy on a mission’.

Hmmm....

I made my way to the living room. All 3 boys were holding electronic game devices, but it wasn’t Bali who had my ipad; it was the oldest, Nalou, who was curled up in the big chair. Both his younger brothers were sitting on separate couches, pretending hard to ignore him without much success. His thumbs were racing over the game, and his comments ‘Wow – that’s a BIG monster! Where was he hiding? Oh, wow – I have to get him!!!’ were way too tempting, and Nalou was well aware of this.

I looked at Bali. So that was why he had come and asked! He was hoping that his ‘Mémère said I could play with her ipad!’ would force his brother to hand it over. It didn’t work, of course. It rarely does, but I guess he thought it was worth a shot.

I stood there, debating silently if I should interfere, and Bali glanced at me, then put his head down, pretending to concentrate on his game, and I interpreted this as a ‘No’.
It was the hierarchy of siblings at work here; as old as time, and each brother would acquiesce until old enough to find his own place. It’s all part of growing up.

I turned and walked back to the kitchen, my mind full of memories of how it had been with my younger brother when we were kids, and I SMILED.

Sharing the SMILE with you as always!

Luv from the Bush in Quebec.

THREE STRIKES...

The company where I now work has recently purchased two lots of mini-warehouses, each lot containing 80 units, and one of my duties is to ascertain that these are well managed. The former employees are still there and, as often happens, they are not thrilled with the change. The information I receive from them is confusing, whether purposely or not, and is out of date. Many times it is even contradictory. I called them to warn that I would be coming by to inspect it all. They pleaded unavailability for the first day chosen, then the second; the third date was today, and I insisted that it could be delayed no longer.

The first hick was my forgetting to check the forecast -the weather was extremely cold and access to most of the units is by the exterior. My clipboard and pencil and are less competent at -20. Or it could be my hands – they don’t write so well when frozen stiff.

Next hick? Although I arrived a half hour earlier than scheduled, I was told that the employee who was to accompany me was already at the second lot. Apparently there is a problem with keys, and he went ahead to prepare.... and could I join him there? Because my GPS didn’t recognize the address, I was given verbal directions. Either I misunderstood, or they were just wrong. I took an unnecessary scenic tour of the area before my exasperation made me call my boss to steer me right. When I did arrive, the designated employee immediately voiced complaints about why this was being done, implying it was a waste of time, yada, yada, yada.

Dude!! This is the 3rd strike! (Ok, the weather really wasn’t his fault, but....)

I subtly reminded him who he worked for (by asking him), but he was still grumpy, voicing his discontent.

“Well, I guess it can be someone else who can come each week to help me do this,” I consoled him.

“Each week???” he exclaimed, staring at me. “What for?” I ignored his question and whipped out my cell phone.

“Ok – let’s go. I have to get pictures. This could take awhile.”

“A picture of each unit??” he sputtered, aghast at the thought. I nodded.

“Yep – boss wants to know what’s inside each unit.” We both knew that meant he would have to unlock and lift 80 sliding doors. He was maybe shivering with the cold now, but he would be sweating soon. And there were still another 80 back at the first lot.

I’ll make the long story short. My calm composure – or was it the hard work, or maybe noticing that I was shivering from the cold more than he was? Whatever, he eventually was more agreeable, and we even shared a few laughs during the 3 hours it required to finish our task. At the end, I teased him about being in shape, and secretly asked his co-worker (who will tell him I’m sure) what kind of beer the dude drank. He really did have to pedal, so I’ll show up bearing gifts next time.

I’m thinking the boss will be pleasantly surprised to see pictures. If not, I won’t charge him the full time I was there – it’s worth the SMILE I was wearing when I drove away.

Sharing it with you as usual. This SMILE may smack of some payback.... (wink!)

Luv from the Bush in Quebec.

MARRIED???

I commented on a post that a close friend put up on Facebook, and was tagged in the Breast Cancer Awareness fun. For those not familiar with the game, if you comment on a player’s irregular status, you must then post something on your own status. They give you a choice of 10 rather amusing statements, and I figured that ‘I’m getting married’ would be the one to provoke the most reaction from any of my FB cronies. For each one who commented, most extending their congratulations for public view, and from some who didn’t dare comment publically, I received panicked, private messages asking me if it was for real...if I had fallen on my head....if Brad Pitt had finally relented and contacted me...and all were unanimous in their ‘NO WAY!’ It is hilarious!

I was wondering mostly what my kids would say. My daughter caught it immediately – she had been there, done that – and my oldest son sent me a text that he knew it had to be a joke, but that Yoshiko, his wife, thinks it’s for real and is freaking out. He says he’s having too much fun to tell her the truth. My youngest son has either not yet seen it, or is wisely keeping his opinion to himself. All in all, it sent out shock waves to those who know me well. Now I’ll wait and see if they will follow up and choose from the 10 choices to keep it going.

I do admit that I relented and warned my French-speaking-only friends that it wasn’t true and what it was about. This was done after the third time my telephone rang with OMG –You are kidding!’s. The directions for the game I sent on to my English people, but I would have to translate it for the others to understand, and office and cleaning and cooking for the family/friend invasion tomorrow don’t allow me enough time for the translation or for answering continuous calls. And we though Obama stirred up a hornet’s nest!!!

My BF doesn’t use Facebook, so he’ll only hear about it if someone mentions it to him – which is quite possible. The Bush is not that far from the village, and yes – like every other small place rumors fly fast and furious. I could warn him, but what fun would that be?

It’s a ‘to be continued’. In the meantime, I’m sending you all a huge SMILE, hoping something in your day will make you laugh as much as I am doing right now!!

Luv from the Bush in Quebec.