I COULD HAVE USED SOME SUN....

Photo courtesy of alambrit, Photobucket

I needed the sun to shine today, but it’s not there. I guess I’ll fall back on what I would tell my children when they would fret about the rain, keeping them from playing outdoors. “The birdies have to drink too,” I would say. I think it was a 10 year old Bow who, tired of hearing the repeated reason, grumbled that he would be happy to pour them a glass of water from the kitchen tap, LOL.

I’ve been working some from home…since I got out of bed at 4 AM…but am finding it difficult to focus on anything for long. Our appointment with the cancer specialists, where we are to learn the results and treatment schedule for my brother, is at 1:00 this afternoon. He hasn’t really been up to par these past few days – not sleeping much, low morale, and I can imagine how long he must find the nights alone in his apartment. Last week he had warned the CLSC, the home care service prescribed by the doctor, that he would be away Tuesday. In parity with the confusion that seems to reign lately, they called to say they would be stopping by, at exactly the time we’ll be in the city. It’s easily corrected, but still aggravating when one is already uptight. It was the same thing while he was in the hospital; you have to wonder if they are even listening to you, or relay information to each other. Everything has to be stated over and over again. A little scary when you realize that these are the people supposed to be taking care of you.

I’m sure Bird will be as happy as I am to finally know what’s what; a plan of action can be discussed instead of just sitting around waiting. It’s accepted that there will be rough times ahead, but let’s get on with it. …and I’ll probably regret my impatience later.

Last night I kept an eye on the Hawks/Rangers game while answering numerous calls about income tax. There was a screw-up with the program we use at the office, and Line, who is responsible for the project, is devastated that she didn’t catch it before handing them in. The government immediately returned them to the clients with ‘error’ written all over the forms. Talk about panic! The program is to be repaired this morning, but the poor girl will have to do each report over again, plus calm those people who were unable to reach me during the evening. She’s in for a heavy day. Not fun.

After fielding the barrage of complaints, it was refreshing to hear Karen’s voice from away out there in Saskatoon. We chatted for a couple of hours, and I was laughing when I finally hung up the phone. It’s amazing how chatting with a good friend can improve my mood!!

It’s similar to what happens when we write our feelings out; it releases all that heavy stuff from our system, we can pick up where we left off, and we do it with a SMILE. Mine is winging its way towards you – and there’s a giggle included – hope it improves your day!

Luv from the Bush in Quebec.

SOME SLIGHT VENTING

Summer flashback, for those who are not fans of Winter.
We are head over heels in T-4’s and income tax now. I still cannot fathom how I ever got caught up in this kind of job. There is no exhilaration there; it just puts bread and butter on the table. Maybe it stems from math being one of my ‘easy’ subjects in school…but so was English composition...so how did the one I like best become my hobby, and the one I like the least my life-long work? Probably because I liked the immediate bread and butter, LOL.

It’s not the accounting part. I still enjoy putting numbers on paper and the satisfaction of balancing the columns. What is distasteful, and becoming more and more so, is the having to deal with various government ‘Gestapo’ dudes. More often than not, the ‘fontionnaire’, or in English, government office clerks, are rude, and into using all sorts of bullying tactics. Whoever leads their ‘motivation for collection’ rally was probably an enforcer for the Mafia at one time. Because I have very little patience with arrogance, more than once I have requested to speak to another agent and…you guessed it…ended up talking to one just as bad, if not worse. Often I can’t even pronounce their names, and/or have difficulty understanding their accents, which is neither English nor French, by the way. Remembering that some of MY tax dollars are paying their salaries makes my blood boil. My stress sledge hammer sends that little disc straight up to ring the bell at the top. Grrrr!

On a more positive note, Kilroy should be arriving home from the hospital today. He tells me he is walking quite well with a cane at present, and should be able to leave it aside in a short time. I’m looking forward to reading his Blog again; his absence screwed up my morning routine, LOL!

I have learned that my ex-partner is in more doo-doo than suspected, the traffic into and out of the city has increased enormously, and the rain is washing away all my beautiful snow!!! TGIF! Although even that isn’t much solace, seeing we also work weekends during this period of the year. Bah! Humbug!

The truth be told, I rather enjoy rain. I would like it even better if I could stay at home and curl up beside the fire with a good book...and Grump-puppy, of course. That’s not going to happen today. It’s off to the city I go, and I’d better get a move on if I want to make it to the office at a decent hour. I’m popping a few vitamins (took your advice for Vitamin D), promising a woeful-looking Grump that I’ll be back soon (he doesn’t believe me anymore), then hitting the road.

Have a great day, folks! In spite of my venting, I’m SMILING, and encourage you to do the same. It’s the best thing to warm a wet day!!

Luv from the Bush in Quebec.

A FUN AGENDA

Guess what? I’m going to Saskatoon, finally! My friend, Karen, has been living there for years, and this is a first visit. Even better is that another friend, Dawna , is flying out with me! The three of us hung together when teens (how long ago was that, again??), and I know we’ll have great fun. My DIL, Yoshiko, now works for a Travel Agency, so she does the shopping for the best rates, and takes care of all those annoying little details required at the airports. What’s more, when Karen told me the hockey games televised out there are Toronto games, I checked the schedule, and guess who the HABS are playing that weekend? Yep! The Leafs! I swear that I did not pick those dates especially for the game! It just happened that way. Talk about a good omen!

Before the trip, we have the Halloween party to organise. This started out as plans for a get together at my home with my Cuban friends, Dawna & Malcolm, and my kids, but has bloomed into a full-fledged celebration of ghouls and goblins. My son, B, invited the many friends who attend our birthday parties each year, and now the idea is disguises for us all, decorating the site, and bags of treats to be prepared for the numerous little tykes (my grandsons included) who will be accompanying their parents. The supper will be what we call ‘pot-luck’; each guest bringing a dish to contribute to the meal. It’s happening this coming Saturday, and will be great fun, I’m sure.

It seems that the past weekends have kept my house very busy. Thanksgiving, then my bro’s daughter, and last night I had guests for supper too. Looking ahead, with the party and the trip out west, then the cooking and baking to prepare for Christmas, I have this gut feeling that, once more, I’ll be doing my shopping on the eve of the main holiday. One thing certain; with all this going on, together with the extra work at the office, there is definitely no time to be bored! In fact, I’ll probably be searching for a little hole to hide away now and then, LOL!

This morning is a cold, rainy start to the week. Part of autumn, and inevitable, but it is so much nicer when the sun is out there, isn’t it? I know the traffic is going to be arduous – rain or snow incite uncertain drivers to slow down to nearly a crawl. I going to take the time now to hunt up some old CD’s, music I haven’t heard for awhile. It doesn’t shorten the ride into the city, but does make it more enjoyable.

Have a good one folks, no matter the weather in your area. There’s nothing like a huge SMILE to brighten anyone’s day. I’m wearing mine. How about you?

Luv from the Bush in Quebec.

STILL WAITING ON BABY

In spite of the drive to work taking at least 2 hours yesterday, the rain was welcome. The lane here is not paved and, because of it being so dry, the dust was continually floating into the house and settling everywhere. I’m not an avid house-cleaner at the best of times; lately there was no choice but to do daily swiping with a wet rag. I was pleased to note that it wasn’t necessary last night. Even more important was to hear on the news that the deluge helped control the forest fires still burning north of us. The Weather Network is predicting more this afternoon and for the next two days, which will certainly improve the situation. I say, bring it on!

To wind down from an afternoon of arguing with a clerk from our greedy government’s offices, I decided, even though it was already 8 PM when I got home, to cook up a pot of soup. Food for the soul. I find cooking a relaxing occupation, and soup is something I really enjoy creating. The many windows in my kitchen were wide open, music was playing, and three doggies were lying out of the way on their cushions, avidly watching my every move. No, I haven’t acquired a new hound. The third one was Lucas, the husky-wolf female who belongs to my neighbor, but who feels at home in my house. She is such a pretty animal, and very graceful and feminine compared to my two pits – the typical ‘out-of-my-way-coming-through’ males.

We are still waiting on that baby to make his/her appearance. Littlest brother, Bali, will be 3 on June 7th. Maybe baby wants to share a birthday? Bad idea. Because of the expense, you usually end up with a smaller gift, LOL.

I don’t have a lot to say this morning, and that’s probably a good thing. I’m going to finish my coffee then hop into the shower and prepare to make the trek into the city again. Man – vacation is going to be SOOO nice!!

Here’s wishing you a good day, folks. Keep wearing those SMILES!

Luv from the Bush in Quebec.

RAIN.

It’s early AM, there is one mother of a thunderstorm going on out here, and I doubt I’ll be able to post. My satellite modem is not looking too stable. It keeps flashing off, then on, then off again. The rain pounding on the tin roof is a dull roar, and I have a big, brave pit-bull dogging every step I take; it’s Mistress’s turn to be the protector, LOL!

I hope the same weather is happening in our forests north of here; it could only help our firemen in their brave and exhausting fight. It breaks my heart to think of losing all those beautiful trees, the animals, the people having to evacuate their homes. Yesterday there was a grey haze over the city, most of the southern province, in fact, and one could smell the smoke everywhere. At last news 8 fires are still out of control, and 109,000 hectares have already been lost to the flames. What a pity.

This morning’s headlines would change the mood of even a most cheerful person. Disaster following disaster. The only good thing to read was the Hawks taking out the Flyers for a second round last night, and even that depends on which team you’ve placed your bets. I didn’t watch the game, opting for an early night instead. I didn’t read all the AM news either; no need to pursue tragedy. Kilroy’s blog gives me a much better frame of mind for the day.

Speaking of which, it is time to get a move on. Traffic is going to be slow, but I refuse to complain about the rain. It is much needed and appreciated. Besides, I’ve got this new double Jesse Cook CD to help me groove all the way to the city.

Have a good one, folks, wherever you be! Don’t forget that your SMILE can be as bright as any sun, so make someone’s day!

Luv from the Bush in Quebec.