The weather is crazy! Last night it was –20, tomorrow we are to be blessed with freezing rain. Attila is shoveling another few feet of snow off the deck, ready for the rain and the subsequent snow load that will slide off the roof tomorrow. We don’t even think about planning activities on Attila’s day off, not during the winter, no use. The weather will be outrageous! We can expect it.

Ah yes, this is the first year that Ontarians are celebrating Family Day as a new statutory holiday. This means Attila will have two consecutive days off work; a much needed break. Of course, we have no plans, as another major winter storm is due to hit tomorrow. We will be cozy here though, as long as we do not attempt to venture forth.

Valentine’s Day arrived uneventfully, although I did send out a few e-cards. I received warm responses from the people who appreciate my sentiment for them, which felt wonderful. I did send a few cards out to people I knew would not respond. They didn’t. They wouldn’t think of it. Why would I send cards to these individuals? Reckless whimsy, as a result of too much sun, probably.

Attila prepared a roast of pork for our Valentine's Day dinner. We finished off the meal with slices of chocolate bread, homemade of course, by yours truly. We rounded off our evening by indulging with a viewing of the second episode of Northern Exposure. Then we quietly trundled off to bed, all yawns and self-satisfaction.

Yesterday the sun shone brightly most of the day. Now, picture an old girl, decked out in a summer cotton dress, barefoot, sporting a straw hat. See her sitting in a chair by a big window, in the full sun, in the middle of February, in Ontario, while it is –14 degrees outside. Can you see her? The old fool, she got sunburned!!! I did you know, and loved every second of it.

I have taken to carrying my chrysanthemum from place to place during the day. When I sat in the sun yesterday, it sat beside me resplendent in the sunshine. When I sit facing the fireplace, I place it on the coffee table where it will catch my eye at every roving glance. To say I am enjoying it would be an understatement.

Our CD episodes of Northern Exposure came in the mail on Wednesday, arriving much earlier than had been promised by Chapters. We watched the very first episode of the series that same night, just before turning in; we found it very relaxing.

Our Eight Weeks of Winter Tour de Force is a resounding success thus far. We are two weeks down and six to go till April. In April we can expect a few, even if only a very few, warmer days.

I had another delightful surprise in the post last Wednesday. Earlier this month I had located the details of the marriage of my Great Great Grandparents, in the year 1855, using the online index at the Staffordshire BMD web site. I subsequently ordered an official copy of the document from the Registrar in Staffordshire. There it was on Wednesday, from all the way across the ocean. It was a delight to learn that my Great Great Great Grandfather, the grooms father, was a hairdraper by trade; and that my Great Great Great Grandfather, the bride’s father, was a hatter. I am thinking of finding a frame for this document, so that I can enjoy looking at it from time to time. Otherwise it will be stored in a dustproof box and will, most probably, be forgotten.

I continue to update the code on this site; I am still working primarily on the journal entries. I am making changes to nine years worth of entries, so this is going to take some time and quite a bit of effort. This is turning out to be quite an endeavor, and when it is done the site will look almost exactly the same as it does now! Still, it does pass the stormy hours of February quite pleasantly.

If we lose our power again during this upcoming ice storm, we are better prepared for it. During our recent trip to the grocery store, more than a week ago, we dropped in at Canadian Tire, discovered and purchased a Koolatron 12 V cooler, on sale. The next time we experience a power outage we can keep our perishables, milk, eggs, leftovers, safe in this cooler, which plugs into the cigarette lighter in the car.

Other than the crazy, crazy weather, life is predictable. The days are passing slowly, pleasantly. A good thing that; I for one do not want to live in interesting times.