WINTER HAS ARRIVED

It was a three hour trek to get home on the snowy roads last night. Bumper to bumper, at 10 KM/hour – the radio announcer telling us over and over that the conditions were terrible, be careful, drive slowly. There were fender-benders, an overturned transport truck, and stalls to avoid…all quite normal for our first winter storm. Having anticipated the scene before even leaving the house yesterday morning, I sat back in my comfortable 4-wheel drive, secure that my snow tires were already installed, the gas tank was full, the window washer topped up…and went with the flow. If the Dunany Demons were trying to aggravate me, their efforts failed. I love winter in Quebec.

The doggies greeted me with their usual exuberance, and were even happier to join me in a short walk down the lane to collect the emptied garbage container. I knew the ploughs would be out during the night; it wasn’t a good idea to leave the container by the side of the road. There was a risk of it being knocked into the ditch and buried.

The doggies clamoured for love, food, then more love…in that order, LOL! A short time later they were fed, the fires were crackling, appetizing aromas from my own meal in the oven wafted through the kitchen, and I stood by the huge window, glass of wine in my hand, looking at the snow swirling around outside. I could only see a short distance past the realm of light from the exterior lamps – the tall evergreens were blurred, dark shadows in the background. Grump was sitting beside me, his gaze alternating between the window and my face. Bud stood, leaning heavily against my leg, pushing me with his nose, looking for more cuddles. “Snug as a bug, we are,” I informed them aloud. They both grinned up at me, tongues lolling. They agreed.

I’m waiting now to see if it’s worth trying to get into the city office. If I do go, I’ll be alone there today. The daughter of one employee has the measles, so she’s in quarantine. Two of the others had appointments, unfortunately scheduled for the same date, and there is one who has a cold. She should have stayed home yesterday – the tickle in my nose this morning suggests that the damage is already done.

With that I leave you, folks, wishing you a great day, and sending you SMILES!

Luv from the Bush in Quebec.

HOME FROM THE HOSPITAL

The doggies.
It was a time consuming drive into the city hospital, but we were aware of the traffic problems and had prepared in advance. I was at my brother’s home at 6 AM, and we arrived in the doctor’s office at 9 AM, 15 minutes ahead of his appointment. The results of the scan prompted the doc to schedule a biopsy, and another MRI, both within the next 3 weeks. It is disheartening yet, from the way my bro has been feeling lately, we were kind of expecting something along those lines.

It was past noon when we left the hospital, and I had papers to drop off at the office. Besides, it would maybe give him something else to think about if he could manage to climb the stairs and meet the employees. He did, and was pleased to associate the faces to the names (I talk about them often), and found them all charming. On the way home he dozed off and on in the car. When I finally made it back to the house around 3 PM, I was exhausted too. We all know one’s mental attitude can play havoc with one’s physical abilities. Whether appropriate or not, sleep was necessary, if only to shut the mind down for awhile.

After an hour snooze, I became mobile again, much to the doggies’ delight. They needed attention, and did everything but stand on their heads to get it. Pat me! Love me! Talk to me! Play with me! Their tails tattooed out the message, and anything in reach went flying until I surrendered to their wishes. It was raining outside, so we raced up and down the hallway a few times, hollering and barking, toenails clickity-clacking on the wood floors (theirs, not mine! LOL!) Then Grump & I did the stairs to the garage. Four times I climbed, bearing an armload of wood, the young Grump-puppy, ears back and tongue hanging, racing ahead of me, and Bud standing at the top, wiggling encouragement. He won’t go up and down stairs just for fun anymore; it’s too hard on his ailing body…and Bud is a smart doggie! He has learned to participate without wasting his breath.

Energy spent, the three of us had our meal, then sat quietly by the fire, listening to Anya, her lilting voice singing softly in the background. Relaxing together.

I was surrounded by unconditional love, and felt peace seep in to replace the heaviness that has held my heart captive for the past two days. I remembered my brother telling me today that he watches comedy tapes one after the other, because laughter IS the best medicine. I remembered that it did no good to brood or mope over what MIGHT happen. I remembered that my family finds its strength in caring, which means that together we can handle whatever is thrown at us. I remembered that most in our lives is good.

Then I remembered that I am meeting my dear friend, Kilroy, for a late lunch tomorrow, and that completed my SMILE!

Love from the Bush in Quebec

RECYCLING, LAS VEGAS AND UFOS

The recycling truck comes around only once every two weeks. I had forgotten it for over a month, so today I was up at 5 AM and hauling that huge, heavy container; two bulging, blue plastic bags; and a pile of folded cardboard boxes out to the end of the long, steep driveway. It took three trips to complete the job, much to the doggies’ delight. Even the beautiful Louka showed up to run around me in circles, her tail waving in encouragement. As I grunted under the weight, I eyed all three of those canines, contemplating if there was a way I could fit them into a harness, fabricate a sort of trailer……then bang! In their excitement of taking such an early morning run, and more intent on watching me than where they were going, Grump-puppy and Louka barrelled into each other. Both flew head-over-teakettle. Picturing the result if one of them HAD been dragging the overloaded container, I quickly scrapped the thought of using them to help me. For amusement only, was my thought. I have to admit they fit the bill; it wasn’t even daylight and they already had me laughing.

Today is the second day working from home. So far, so good. It isn’t even 9:30 AM and 2 payroll faxes have been completed and sent on their way; a profit and loss statement is nearly ready, and I’ve had conversations with three clients. We’re rolling!! I’m not in my p.j.’s - the stroll to take out the recycling meant getting dressed – but I’m very comfortable in jeans and an over-sized sweater, not appropriate office wear. Wonderful! A bonus is that I’ll be able to watch my hockey game tonight from the drop of the puck instead of sitting in traffic, listening to the first period on the car radio. Just that alone makes this idea worthwhile!

My daughter, Shan, is on her way to Las Vegas this morning. She has a 4-day break, a paid trip, and is hoping for beginner’s luck on the gaming tables. She called yesterday, flustered because she had just learned that her oldest son‘s job is taking him to Abitibi (northern Quebec) on Monday. He’ll be gone before she arrives on that night, and her mother’s heart was hurting because she wouldn’t be there to wave goodbye. Fred is 20, works with Hydro Quebec, and is quite able to take care of himself, but he has been renting his mom’s basement apartment since he was 18, so she’ll miss his company for sure. Like any mom, she’s worried that he’ll forget to take enough warm socks, his winter coat, etc., and realizes how lonesome she will be with him not being around every night. It’s always hard to cut the apron strings, isn’t it?

Before I get back to work, I want to check the Montreal news. On my drive home last night, I heard a doctor claiming to have spotted a UFO in the skies over the city on Tuesday. Apparently he was not the only person to have seen it. Hummm…well, 2012 is fast approaching; could this be a sign that there is some truth in all those predictions? And who should they meet if they instruct us to ‘Take me to your leader’? Any suggestions? I want to be prepared if they decide to land in the bush…….

Have a good day, folks! Mine is already looking fine, so I’m SMILING – sharing it with you!

Luv from the Bush in Quebec

AND MY RETURN

I’m back. Actually, I finally arrived home around 10:30 PM on Wednesday night. The drive back was slower, caused by a mix of intermittent rain and construction. I dropped Suzie’s sister at her apartment, then stopped in at my daughter’s place. In the ordinary, we chat nearly every day; after me being away we needed to catch up.

The doggies were ecstatic when I walked in the door. They both milled around me for an hour ….I was tripping over one or the other, LOL. I must say they looked fine; the dog sitters, who showed later the day of my departure, were exemplary in their care. Of course! It was my brother, Bird, and Fran who stayed at my place while I was gone, and Bird has a way with animals. Fran also completed the staining of my kitchen windows, and that was a bonus!

A stint in the Jacuzzi was the perfect answer after the long drive. No hot water. Damn! I reset the tank again (now I know I’ll have to buy a new one) and waited 30 minutes. Success! Ten minutes later the electric power flicked, then flicked again, and went off. I decided I was past caring, crawled into bed with the help of a flashlight, and Morpheus claimed me. How sweet it was!

The ring of the phone woke me at 8:30 the next morning. I was to return to work only on Monday, but that didn’t happen. Although I didn’t drive into the office, I was busy, busy, busy all day, alternating between computer, cell phone, and the land line. I didn’t get to attend my granddaughter’s 18th birthday party that night, but I managed to see and congratulate her, and meet her new gift (a Chihuahua puppy) during the day. I was exhausted by 9 PM anyway, so an outing was not in my cards.

Friday was much of the same, except I finally stopped everything around 5 PM and began to prepare a beef bourguignon for my supper guests. This date had been scheduled well in advance, and I was looking forward to it. I was running late, but so were they, so all turned out fine. My guests were Dawna, my friend since high school, and her husband, Malcolm. We spent a most enjoyable evening chatting and looking at slides of their trip to England. The scenery in the pictures was spectacular, particularly Wales with its rugged terrain. I’ll have to go there someday – just seeing the pictures pulled at my heartstrings. Maybe it was in a former life…..

This morning was another rude awakening by the telephone – a problem with my associates. We fixed it best we could, and it is now 1:30 PM on Saturday. I’ve finally had the time to unpack my suitcase and start a washing. Thank heavens the Bird and Fran cleaned the house before leaving, because I think I’d just run away from home if I had housework to do too.

It’s a beautiful, sunshiny day out there. I’ve disconnected the bothersome telephone, and am going to walk down the drive with the doggies. My apple tree, situated near the bottom of Bud’s hill, is sporting delicious McIntosh fruit and begging for admiration, and possible picking. Then tonight I fully intend to sprawl on my gallery with a bottle of red wine, maybe some Pink Floyd, and hug the heck out of my doggies. Next on the agenda are a long Jacuzzi, and an early meeting with Morpheus. I know he’ll be around. I handcuffed the elusive fellow to the bedpost, LOL!

Have a good weekend, folks! Sending you out SMILES!

Luv from the Bush in Quebec.

SHOW & TELL: VACATION

Sunday – a beautiful morning. As I slip quietly out of bed, I glance through the French doors where Grump-puppy is keeping vigil on the gallery. He turns his head; he has heard me. Good. That’s part of his job, after all. Bud doesn’t move, seemingly blissfully unaware, but I know he has heard me too. Why move when the youngster is gung-ho is prove his stuff? No fool, Mr. Bud will save his energy. He’ll use it to show off, pushing rocks twice his size up and down the hills, when his human steps outside.

Tomorrow I go back to the office. The short week of vacation is over. Let’s see….how did it go? MMM…Monday was a lost cause – my leg was swollen and painful, although I did manage to read a whole book. Tuesday was the event at my doctor’s office, certainly not helping my mood, but that was offset by the cuddles from the grandsons. Because I didn’t sleep many hours the first 2 days, I spent most of Wednesday morning in bed, only rushing to get dressed when I received the call that one of my associates was on his way to my house. Yep – that was for business which couldn’t wait, so I worked, albeit from home, Wednesday afternoon into the evening. On Thursday the phone started ringing early - more office things needing an immediate response – and this went on until Thursday night. I took a break by going to one of my ‘used-to-be-favourite’ restaurants for a late supper, only to find that its 5-star meal has fallen to a 1-star category, but still charging the same high prices. How disappointing! Friday morning was a funeral, and the afternoon spent taking my bro, Bird, to the hospital for x-rays of his lungs. We think he has developed pneumonia again and, because he knew I was on vacation, he waited until he could hardly breathe before calling to tell me about it – the dummy! Back from the hospital I fell into bed, and slept for 14 hours!!!! Man, did I feel good when I got up yesterday!! I did some writing, some washing, then went to visit Suzie for a couple of hours, stopped off to see how Bird was doing and chatted there for a bit, then came home and hit the sack again, sleeping another full 8 hours! I awake to bright sunshine, my leg is far less painful, and this vacation, although on its last day, is beginning to look much better. LOL!

Okay, so I’ve learned my lesson. The next time I book days off, I’ll visit the doctor a month BEFORE the allotted period, I will unplug the phones, I’ll tell all and sundry that I am going to Timbuktu, then keep my head down. Right now, at this very moment, I’ll stop my whining and get my butt out into this invigorating mountain air and join my doggies, who are waiting patiently for my company.

I hope you are enjoying the day too, y’all! I’m sending out my SMILE, humming “My, what a beautiful morning…” Sing along with me, and please send that smile on….

Luv from the Bush in Quebec.