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Attila is back at work, and winter has settled in. We spent Christmas Eve and Christmas Day with and at the home of the newlyweds, Terra and Lares and their feline companions Cheech and Chong (aptly named). We had a lovely time, enjoyed ourselves immensely and indulged ourselves with spirits, sweets and treats and an excellent turkey dinner prepared by Terra, who sailed through the process for the first time, with some verbal support from Attila on the turkey and dressing, and myself on the apple pie. From my perspective, there is nothing in the world like spending time with people who care about you. I recommend to all that if you care about someone, spend time with them; it is the greatest gift you can give. If someone who cares about you spends time with you, remember that it is a gift. While we were away we set electric heaters in the rooms where there is plumbing, closed the doors and hoped for the best. We were absent from Monday morning until Wednesday evening. When we arrived home the indoor temperature was around 15 degrees Celsius. The masonry fireplace was no longer warm to the touch, but stood at room temperature. It helped that the outdoor temperatures have been hovering between –1 and –5 degrees for the last four days. Mist weathered our absence, and the slowly falling temperature, with aplomb. She was waiting patiently for us at the top of the stairs when we arrived home, confident that heat would soon be on its way. A short time after arriving home Attila had a small fire burning in the masonry fireplace, and when it died down he fired up the little cast iron wood stove in the basement. Later in the evening he let the fire die down in the cast iron wood stove and built a second fire in the masonry fireplace, which blazed heat into the house and kept us up after our bedtime so that we could close the damper after the flames had died. This morning the indoor temperature stands at 21 degrees Celsius, which is quite comfortable. Last weekend it rained and the snow on the trees disappeared entirely. When we arrived home yesterday there was a fresh dusting of fluff on the evergreens. We are expecting more snow this morning. The New Year is fast approaching. My thoughts are wandering around the last twelve months, reviewing the changes life has brought, how I feel about those changes and how I imagine they may affect the up and coming year. I have heard that the past is an infinity that cannot be changed, the future is an infinity that cannot be known, and the present is where we live. Today I am considering the infinity of the past, musing on the infinity of the future and enjoying the experience of the present. |
RECIPES :: Cast Worldly Distractions  In the Driver's Seat Waiting for his buddy to get back with the coffee. Taken in a parking lot, behind a donut shop, during our trip. Quote "Don't reserve your best behavior for special occasions. You can't have two sets of manners, two social codes - one for those you admire and want to impress, another for those whom you consider unimportant. You must be the same to all people." Lillian Eichler Watson By the Easy Chair 366: A Leap Year of Great Stories From History by W.B. Marsh and Bruce Carrick Weather Light Snow Temp -1.3°C Visibility 6 km Humidity 92% WindChill -2 Dew Point -2.4°C |
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