“I hate the winter! I just can’t wait for it to be all over.” The technician was fiddling with the machines as she ranted. I was standing, naked from the waist up, watching her with a leery eye; it seemed the more she stated her displeasure with the temperature, the more brusquely she handled the plates from the scanner. I couldn’t help but be alarmed - she would be manipulating a very sensitive part of my anatomy in a moment. This was not the time to admit that I loved our Canadian winter. I needed to make this lady smile.
"It's nearly over," I attempted to reassure her. "And I heard this week will see a lot of sun.”
“But cold!" she grumbled. “And another snowstorm on its way for the weekend! It doesn’t seem to end!” Uh-oh, I thought silently. This girl has a hard case of season blues and she was heading for me right now!
“I suppose that’s why many people go down south this time of the year – a kind of transition period until it gets warmer here.” I offered while taking a small step back from her.
“That’s exactly where I’m supposed to be!” she exclaimed. “But my vacation plans have been scrapped, so I’m stuck here, in this snow and freezing place!”
Damn! Wrong observation! I needed to think fast. She had her hand on my back and was briskly manoeuvring me into place before the s-q-u-e-e-z-e. And her hands were cold!
“Where?” I didn’t realize that I had yelled the word until she stopped and stared at me.
“What?” she asked, her eyes wide.
“Where do you go down south? What’s your favourite place? Do you visit or just lie in the sun? Ocean or villa pool?” I was babbling, but it was working. She hesitated, and her movements slowed. She was almost gentle as she fitted my right breast onto the bottom plate before lowering the top one.
OUCH! I am really not good with pain, so I hardly heard her answers. I think she mentioned Jamaica, and I believe she gave me some reasons for her love of sun and heat while she had me change positions, then sides, and then, thankfully, the mammography was done.
She was still going on about it as she opened the door to let me leave, but she was smiling now. I nodded to the lady next in line; this one would never know how much easier her examination would be because of my efforts.
On my way out, they stopped me at the counter to confirm my family doctor’s address. I gave the information and... the devil made me do it...
“By the way,” I said to the receptionist. “Tell your technician that I DO love winter. It’s way better than roasting in the summer.”
I SMILED all the way to the parking lot. Sharing it with you, as usual!!
Luv from the Bush in Quebec.
Wednesday, March 18, 2015
Sunday, March 15, 2015
WEEKENDS ARE FOR...
Wow! It’s like a Winter Fairyland out there. The prediction was for 5 cm, but I have at least 12 on my gallery, and it was shovelled right down to the wood before the storm began last night. It’s still snowing! Skiers will be jubilant; spring watchers, not so much. For my friends who arrived yesterday from the sunny shores of Mexico, welcome home, LOL!
I spent the whole day Saturday working in my home office, taking a short time out for an afternoon nap and, of course, last night’s hockey game, where my Habs kept me on the edge of my seat until I danced in celebration of their well-deserved win over the NY Islanders. Bandit lay purring on my knee at the start of the game, but soon felt it was safer to be elsewhere. Cats are NOT doggies.
Like TAPS, I used to walk barefoot everywhere it was allowed. Now there’s a huge corn on the sole of my right foot that I need to have removed regularly to even walk comfortably with shoes. I had an appointment with a new Foot Care lady, but cancelled because it was the day Miko was coming home from the hospital, so have been limping slightly. I was delighted when the lady called me back yesterday and, hearing my work schedule, offered to see me this morning at 10:00. I must add here that she is also a friend, although we don’t see each other often. I’m not sure she would accommodate everyone on a Sunday morning.
I definitely need to get some housework (UGH!) done today. There is to be a big shindig here next weekend –many of my son’s and my friends and families to come and meet little Miko. We didn’t really get together the past Christmas as is our tradition, so this will make up for our missing out. It will be even more fun because all the babies will be here too. It’s a pot-luck meal, thankfully, because Mémère would be hard put to find time to prepare a huge feast. All the ladies in the group are excellent cooks, and after enjoying their company for a few hours, I also get to keep the leftovers – food and booze. Thinking on that, it’s actually worth having to do the cleaning!
There you go -another full day on the agenda, and an Adnohr who grumbles but is actually grateful that she is still able to get (some) things done. And there could be surprises along the way. Each day seems to bring something unexpected. Ain’t it grand? (Sorry, Ciel).
The starter pistol has sounded, so off I go! Sending you a huge, SMILE, dancing its way to you, surrounded by hug, white, fluffy flakes of lovely snow!!
Luv from the Bush in Quebec.
I spent the whole day Saturday working in my home office, taking a short time out for an afternoon nap and, of course, last night’s hockey game, where my Habs kept me on the edge of my seat until I danced in celebration of their well-deserved win over the NY Islanders. Bandit lay purring on my knee at the start of the game, but soon felt it was safer to be elsewhere. Cats are NOT doggies.
Like TAPS, I used to walk barefoot everywhere it was allowed. Now there’s a huge corn on the sole of my right foot that I need to have removed regularly to even walk comfortably with shoes. I had an appointment with a new Foot Care lady, but cancelled because it was the day Miko was coming home from the hospital, so have been limping slightly. I was delighted when the lady called me back yesterday and, hearing my work schedule, offered to see me this morning at 10:00. I must add here that she is also a friend, although we don’t see each other often. I’m not sure she would accommodate everyone on a Sunday morning.
I definitely need to get some housework (UGH!) done today. There is to be a big shindig here next weekend –many of my son’s and my friends and families to come and meet little Miko. We didn’t really get together the past Christmas as is our tradition, so this will make up for our missing out. It will be even more fun because all the babies will be here too. It’s a pot-luck meal, thankfully, because Mémère would be hard put to find time to prepare a huge feast. All the ladies in the group are excellent cooks, and after enjoying their company for a few hours, I also get to keep the leftovers – food and booze. Thinking on that, it’s actually worth having to do the cleaning!
There you go -another full day on the agenda, and an Adnohr who grumbles but is actually grateful that she is still able to get (some) things done. And there could be surprises along the way. Each day seems to bring something unexpected. Ain’t it grand? (Sorry, Ciel).
The starter pistol has sounded, so off I go! Sending you a huge, SMILE, dancing its way to you, surrounded by hug, white, fluffy flakes of lovely snow!!
Luv from the Bush in Quebec.
Saturday, March 14, 2015
ABOUT BEING CHILDISH...
I know that we’ve been doing this daylight saving thing forever, and that the media is full of advice on how to cope with it, and that we shouldn’t be making a big deal out of it, and that it may be totally irrelevant to my feeling so exhausted at the moment, but I seem to be so much more tired than usual and I like it much better when we get to turn those clocks back an hour! Isn’t that a mouthful?
With that said, we move on.
One day last week my son sent me a picture of his friend, Keith, who had been to visit Miko. Keith is a very big, black man with a heart of gold. He has a 3 year old son, and one can see how he enjoys children. Tiny Miko didn’t even cover a quarter of his arm that was holding her.
For those of you who use Facebook, you are probably familiar with the ‘Why you don’t leave baby alone with Daddy’ videos. They are short clips with amusing antics – men playing rock music and dancing around their baby, or placing the little tyke on a remote controlled truck and driving him through the house; men being overgrown boys and playing with their child, doing things they probably wouldn’t do in the presence of a protective mommy.
My son posted a picture under the title, and there was little Miko wearing a large, curly, black wig. Under the photo, my son wrote ‘Keith – man – we gotta talk!!’ It was hilarious. Even more so with Keith’s answer: Hahaha! My bad !!!!! She's BLACKINISE - HALF BLACK half ASIAN!
As one girl commented – that baby will never find life boring with her daddy around. I was as much a child as my kids were (and often got lectured about it), and it’s heart-warming to see them continuing the games with their own. I know that little Miko will have many occasions to laugh as she thrives in this family of ours, and the knowledge makes me SMILE!
You’re welcome to share in the fun – I’ve sent the SMILE out and it should be bouncing around you at this very moment!! If it’s not the right size, let me know – there are bigger ones in stock!!
Luv from the Bush in Quebec.
With that said, we move on.
One day last week my son sent me a picture of his friend, Keith, who had been to visit Miko. Keith is a very big, black man with a heart of gold. He has a 3 year old son, and one can see how he enjoys children. Tiny Miko didn’t even cover a quarter of his arm that was holding her.
For those of you who use Facebook, you are probably familiar with the ‘Why you don’t leave baby alone with Daddy’ videos. They are short clips with amusing antics – men playing rock music and dancing around their baby, or placing the little tyke on a remote controlled truck and driving him through the house; men being overgrown boys and playing with their child, doing things they probably wouldn’t do in the presence of a protective mommy.
My son posted a picture under the title, and there was little Miko wearing a large, curly, black wig. Under the photo, my son wrote ‘Keith – man – we gotta talk!!’ It was hilarious. Even more so with Keith’s answer: Hahaha! My bad !!!!! She's BLACKINISE - HALF BLACK half ASIAN!
As one girl commented – that baby will never find life boring with her daddy around. I was as much a child as my kids were (and often got lectured about it), and it’s heart-warming to see them continuing the games with their own. I know that little Miko will have many occasions to laugh as she thrives in this family of ours, and the knowledge makes me SMILE!
You’re welcome to share in the fun – I’ve sent the SMILE out and it should be bouncing around you at this very moment!! If it’s not the right size, let me know – there are bigger ones in stock!!
Luv from the Bush in Quebec.
Thursday, March 12, 2015
A LESSON
I couldn’t take it anymore. I was so lonesome for my baby that I skipped over to see her after work on Tuesday night. Well – skipped is maybe not the right word, seeing that I had to cross the city, but I was well rewarded with a few hours of Miko’s warmth and smell and little smiles. I rocked her as my son and I watched the Habs’ game. They lost, so there was no danger of her flying through the air – I’m rather demonstrative when celebrating a goal – and I kept my swearing to a minimum through the bad hockey moments. I tore myself away finally, and arrived home for bed around 2:30 AM. Yesterday was a loooong day.
My new job finds me among a few familiar co-workers, but there are also some bodies I am meeting for the first time. As I mentioned, my hours are flexible, and often I’ll walk into the office around 11 AM, having already put in a few hours from home or at the local branch. There is one man who remarks on my ‘cushy position’ each time he sees me arrive. I was laughing it off. He’s a bit mouthy anyway and I felt no need to explain myself. His looks and actions only reinforced my opinion of his character – not much there.
He was standing outside smoking when I got to work yesterday. He did his usual routine of looking at his watch, then feigning surprise because it was earlier than usual, so I decided that we would bring this to a head. I stopped to chat with him a few minutes, starting with the beautiful weather at that moment. One thing led to another, and imagine my surprise when I learned that he is an avid reader, that we enjoy many of the same authors! It even went so far as his offering to lend me certain volumes that interested me, and giving me addresses of some second-hand bookstores in the area. Knock me over with a feather, why don’t ya??
He held the door for me as we entered the building, and I could feel that subtle change in our attitudes. He’ll still bug me about my hours, but the teasing will be lighter, amusing, and I’ll accept it for what it is. I didn’t enlighten him as to why I don’t usually come in early. I have a little stubborn streak. He deserves to stew about it a bit longer anyway, just because of his previous behaviour.
Another lesson for Adnohr – Judge not!! Now, to avoid there being truth to his thinking, I had better get my butt in gear and start my work. Wishing you all a great day, and hoping that my SMILE adds some sunshine to whatever you’re doing!!
Luv from the Bush in Quebec.
My new job finds me among a few familiar co-workers, but there are also some bodies I am meeting for the first time. As I mentioned, my hours are flexible, and often I’ll walk into the office around 11 AM, having already put in a few hours from home or at the local branch. There is one man who remarks on my ‘cushy position’ each time he sees me arrive. I was laughing it off. He’s a bit mouthy anyway and I felt no need to explain myself. His looks and actions only reinforced my opinion of his character – not much there.
He was standing outside smoking when I got to work yesterday. He did his usual routine of looking at his watch, then feigning surprise because it was earlier than usual, so I decided that we would bring this to a head. I stopped to chat with him a few minutes, starting with the beautiful weather at that moment. One thing led to another, and imagine my surprise when I learned that he is an avid reader, that we enjoy many of the same authors! It even went so far as his offering to lend me certain volumes that interested me, and giving me addresses of some second-hand bookstores in the area. Knock me over with a feather, why don’t ya??
He held the door for me as we entered the building, and I could feel that subtle change in our attitudes. He’ll still bug me about my hours, but the teasing will be lighter, amusing, and I’ll accept it for what it is. I didn’t enlighten him as to why I don’t usually come in early. I have a little stubborn streak. He deserves to stew about it a bit longer anyway, just because of his previous behaviour.
Another lesson for Adnohr – Judge not!! Now, to avoid there being truth to his thinking, I had better get my butt in gear and start my work. Wishing you all a great day, and hoping that my SMILE adds some sunshine to whatever you’re doing!!
Luv from the Bush in Quebec.
Sunday, March 8, 2015
WHERE IS THAT TO-DO LIST AGAIN?
So – with all those intentions to get so much done this weekend, I have to report that most of those plans turned out to be only that…plans! Well, I did do the laundry, and a touch of dusting here and there, and of course I watched my Habs’ win their game on Saturday night, but those are the only things I can tick off my mental ‘To do list’ this Monday morning.
Bandit, my adopted cat, decided he would finally pull a dog routine and claim the attention he had missed during my week stay in the city. He was continually underfoot, mewling his complaints and/or joy at having me home. It was either kick him or cuddle him, and there is no contest really.
The phone was busy – Suzie from Detroit, my Cuban Suzie – and numerous texts from little Miko’s parents, the Rug rats (sent me a picture of the youngest wearing a Bruin’s shirt, young scoundrels!), other friends wondering how things were going, and to top it all, my daughter and little great granddaughter, Léna, spent Sunday morning here. She is 15 months old, running as fast as her chubby little legs can take her anywhere, and was quite intrigued by Bandit’s bell-balls. I hadn’t seen her for awhile, so we needed to catch up on hugging and kisses and fruit-loop snacking.
They were just leaving when Helen arrived, so more visiting. When she left, my son and I had a long distance discussion about the effects of mother’s nursing on a baby’s constipation...a good part of Sunday afternoon was used for research and discussion about the importance of baby pooping...or not, LOL!
Boring for some people, no doubt, but it is a huge part of my life, and one I would never think of exchanging for a high-stepping career. The perfect end to the weekend were the huge snowflakes playing and glittering under the gallery lights, a scene I enjoyed while relaxing in my Jacuzzi bubbles, the scent of Ocean breeze and the glass of red wine complimenting it all. The world may be in turmoil elsewhere, but here in the Bush life was good, so I am SMILING...and wanting to share it with y’all. Off it goes, soon to land on your doorstep. Any sent back to me will be treated with care!
Luv from the Bush in Quebec.
Bandit, my adopted cat, decided he would finally pull a dog routine and claim the attention he had missed during my week stay in the city. He was continually underfoot, mewling his complaints and/or joy at having me home. It was either kick him or cuddle him, and there is no contest really.
The phone was busy – Suzie from Detroit, my Cuban Suzie – and numerous texts from little Miko’s parents, the Rug rats (sent me a picture of the youngest wearing a Bruin’s shirt, young scoundrels!), other friends wondering how things were going, and to top it all, my daughter and little great granddaughter, Léna, spent Sunday morning here. She is 15 months old, running as fast as her chubby little legs can take her anywhere, and was quite intrigued by Bandit’s bell-balls. I hadn’t seen her for awhile, so we needed to catch up on hugging and kisses and fruit-loop snacking.
They were just leaving when Helen arrived, so more visiting. When she left, my son and I had a long distance discussion about the effects of mother’s nursing on a baby’s constipation...a good part of Sunday afternoon was used for research and discussion about the importance of baby pooping...or not, LOL!
Boring for some people, no doubt, but it is a huge part of my life, and one I would never think of exchanging for a high-stepping career. The perfect end to the weekend were the huge snowflakes playing and glittering under the gallery lights, a scene I enjoyed while relaxing in my Jacuzzi bubbles, the scent of Ocean breeze and the glass of red wine complimenting it all. The world may be in turmoil elsewhere, but here in the Bush life was good, so I am SMILING...and wanting to share it with y’all. Off it goes, soon to land on your doorstep. Any sent back to me will be treated with care!
Luv from the Bush in Quebec.
Saturday, December 6, 2014
JUST A NOTE
Ah! I picked up my new computer last Tuesday night, so things are so much easier now! My tech was unable to immediately extract some of the programs and my photos from my old machine because of the virus, but he will keep working on it when he can, so hopefully not all is lost.
It was good timing. I was spending both Wednesday and Thursday at home and needed to log onto the office site at a distance. It was in preparation for my colonoscopy, overdue by 2 years, but even if I was swilling down that liquid-a-go-go, the employee pays had to done. Fortunately my home office is only a hop and a skip from the bathroom.
The ordeal is over, the results good, and I’m off the hook for 5 years as per my doctor. When I returned to work on Friday, those cheeky girls remarked that I seemed to have lost weight. Hmmm.
This is just a note to let you know that I’m back in circulation; the tablette was not dropped in the water so I still don’t know if it will float, and I think I’ll let that test pass because the thing is handy to look up information on players while watching my hockey games. Blogging on it is another story altogether!
I’m doing housework now, have some work to catch up on too, so will be back in during the weekend and maybe with something more interesting to write. It was great spending some time in Blogit with the means to comment without it taking an eternity to do so!
Leaving you with a SMILE – it’s a biggie!!
Luv from the Bush in Quebec.
It was good timing. I was spending both Wednesday and Thursday at home and needed to log onto the office site at a distance. It was in preparation for my colonoscopy, overdue by 2 years, but even if I was swilling down that liquid-a-go-go, the employee pays had to done. Fortunately my home office is only a hop and a skip from the bathroom.
The ordeal is over, the results good, and I’m off the hook for 5 years as per my doctor. When I returned to work on Friday, those cheeky girls remarked that I seemed to have lost weight. Hmmm.
This is just a note to let you know that I’m back in circulation; the tablette was not dropped in the water so I still don’t know if it will float, and I think I’ll let that test pass because the thing is handy to look up information on players while watching my hockey games. Blogging on it is another story altogether!
I’m doing housework now, have some work to catch up on too, so will be back in during the weekend and maybe with something more interesting to write. It was great spending some time in Blogit with the means to comment without it taking an eternity to do so!
Leaving you with a SMILE – it’s a biggie!!
Luv from the Bush in Quebec.
Sunday, November 9, 2014
IT'S BACK!
Snow! I am one of the few who still really loves that cold, slippery, beautiful white stuff. I stood, sipping my first coffee and gazing through the window during the wee hours, watching Grump as he buried his nose, searching out the best spot for his needs. I could feel Bandit weaving around my legs, his purring just slightly louder than the crackling of the kindling in the fireplace. ‘The world is aglow’, I said to him. He rubbed his head against me, maybe not really agreeing. I noticed he did a kind of high-step dance when he made his way across the gallery to come inside last night, and he didn’t seem so anxious to follow Grump through the door this morning.
Grump was back, and I felt the chill of crisp, winter air enter with him. I hummed Frosty the Snowman as I prepared breakfast for them both, singing the words in whispers when I set their dishes down. My friend was still sleeping, and I didn’t want to wake him. I relish the quiet of these early morning hours spent with my pets. They dug into their food enthusiastically; Grump gobbling, and Bandit far daintier. They were so content in this moment, and that emotion prevailed in our softly lit kitchen. We were warm, our bellies full; happy in our little cocoon, surrounded by the silence of Nature’s awesome white blanket.
Yes, I am very aware that in this world there is strife and war and pain; I don’t wear rose-colored glasses. However, I am a firm believer in appreciating those perfect moments – the ones where you know all those you love are safe and sound and at peace – and the arrival of snow enhances those moments for me somehow. Maybe it’s memories of other winters, growing up on the farm. Who knows?
Whatever it is, I’ll take it, and I’ll greet it with a huge, warm SMILE!! I’m brushing the icicles away and sending it on to y’all!
Luv from the Bush in Quebec.
Grump was back, and I felt the chill of crisp, winter air enter with him. I hummed Frosty the Snowman as I prepared breakfast for them both, singing the words in whispers when I set their dishes down. My friend was still sleeping, and I didn’t want to wake him. I relish the quiet of these early morning hours spent with my pets. They dug into their food enthusiastically; Grump gobbling, and Bandit far daintier. They were so content in this moment, and that emotion prevailed in our softly lit kitchen. We were warm, our bellies full; happy in our little cocoon, surrounded by the silence of Nature’s awesome white blanket.
Yes, I am very aware that in this world there is strife and war and pain; I don’t wear rose-colored glasses. However, I am a firm believer in appreciating those perfect moments – the ones where you know all those you love are safe and sound and at peace – and the arrival of snow enhances those moments for me somehow. Maybe it’s memories of other winters, growing up on the farm. Who knows?
Whatever it is, I’ll take it, and I’ll greet it with a huge, warm SMILE!! I’m brushing the icicles away and sending it on to y’all!
Luv from the Bush in Quebec.
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