Paulette

Why me?  Probably because I’m the one who drives every day.

This happened this morning on my way to work.  As usual on Friday’s there is not much traffic.  It was a beautiful morning.

I was following a car on the off ramp at March Rd.  This off ramp continues into it’s own lane so you don’t have to merge with traffic.  The car ahead of me had it’s brake lights on as it slowed for the curve.  I did as well.

Suddenly for no apparent reason the driver slammed on the brakes and came to a complete stop in the ramp.  I tried to stop/swerve but just barely nicked his car.  I had almost come to a full stop.  I didn’t have the benefit of seeing the brake lights coming on since they had been on through the curve.

WHAT THE HECK WAS HE STOPPING FOR?  I also almost got hit from behind as other cars approached.  There was nothing ahead of him.  There were no cars anywhere.

When he got out of the car he looked ill.  He was completely distressed and could barely speak.  I thought this was the cause of the sudden stop - he was having some sort of attack.

Finally he splurted out “I’m so sorry.  I don’t know why I did that.  I had a brain freeze.  I’m so sorry.  I’ll fix this.”

HUH?  What can you say to someone in this state?  Iwas a little shaken but fine.  A car can be fixed.

I wrote out both of our information because he was trembling so much he couldn’t write.  He phoned me later to arrange to pay to fix the car.  He phoned the dealership and arranged payment.

It’s been that kind of week.

We had the last of a 3 part course this morning. We started the day off by having breakfast at Summerhays on Baseline. Then off to the high school for our third course.

Today’s arrangement was a free or modern one. Grimace likes it so it must be good.

It felt strange to stick a wire through a flower. Somehow I felt I was hurting it. It was a little tricky to gather up the stems without breaking the carnations. One broke and now decorates the base.

It was definitely an interesting course.  I now know how to finish off the base with greenery.  This part I can do on my own.  I’m not so sure about creating my own designs though.

Melody and I plan on taking more in the fall. For now this is it.

Every spring this plays out the same.  The snow melts on the pool’s black winter cover.  Ducks flying overhead see it and think it is a pond.  I can imagine the conversation that takes place as they land in our pool.

He:   Honey, this look like a good place for us.

She:  Hmpf, pretty tiny if you ask me.

He:  But this is a nice quiet area.  Look we are completely alone.

She: The water doesn’t seem to be very deep.  There isn’t much food here.  And where do you expect me to nest?

He:  Well it looked good from up there.  If you don’t like it we can keep looking.

He:  Yes dear….

And then they are off to find a real pond.

We had the second of a 3 part course this morning. We started the day off by having breakfast at Summerhays on Baseline. Then off to the high school for our second course.

I know a bit more this week. I know my mug is for tea and not a flower arrangement.

This week’s arrangement is a synergistic design. It is defined by 3 or more units sharing a common characteristic and unified by form, colour, repetition and plant material.

It didn’t take very long to make.

It’s not quite as interesting as last week’s design. There is something to be learned though with this one too. I just prefer the other type.

Melody told me about a floral design course she had just signed up for. I have no talent when it comes to arranging flowers so I thought it would be a terrific experience for me.

We had our first course this morning. We started the day off by having breakfast at Summerhays on Baseline. Then off to the high school for our first course.

Within the first few minutes I knew I was going to enjoy this. Our instructor Iris Waung had called ahead of time to ensure we all brought our supplies: a towel, scissors, a garbage bag and a mug.

We thought the mug was going to be for our first project. We expected to be doing a little floral arrangement. I picked the biggest mug and hoped for the best. When we arrived she went through the usual introductory information. There was a nice little vase for each of us. Then she told us that she had made tea for us and lemon cranberry pound cake. The mug was for the tea! Ha ha ha How silly I felt!

The arrangement we were doing today is called a Biedermeier design.  It is a traditional design characterized by a dome or round shape.

Iris made up a vase of flowers explaining each step along the way. Then it was our turn to try to do the same. We each started with a bunch of yellow flowers.

And here is my first ever floral design. Not bad for a rookie! I can follow directions. I’m not so sure I can create my own design though.

I brought my masterpiece home and was greeted by Grimace. She really liked my arrangement. She could hardly wait for me to set it down somewhere so she could EAT IT. No matter where I put it she immediately jumped up (on top of the refrigerator) to get at it. I had to put it in our office behind a closed door.

The class went by so fast. I really enjoyed it. Two more lessons to go. I can’t wait to see what comes up next.

Our new dishwasher is fantastic. It looks pretty basic. It has a simple profile which is what I like. It is nice and shiny like all the other appliances.

It has a lot more space inside than our previous one. It is so quiet you can hardly hear it working. One really nice feature is the cutlery rack.

All the utensils lie flat in their own drawer. You can sort them by type so it makes for very easy handling when the cleaning is done. No more pokes from knives or forks!

The other racks are adjustable and include things like fold down stem holders (for wine glasses). It’s a good purchase and although a little more expensive than more basic models it is very much worth it.

Is this like the saying “When one door closes, another one opens” but in reverse?

I’m at work, it’s about 9:00 AM. Good time for a coffee I think. I get up, look out the window and see the sidewalk plow (not a city plow) has hit the car beside me in the parking lot.

That car’s alarm is on and the operator is walking towards the building. Ah, he is reporting the incident. I hope my car is OK. I don’t get a call or email from security. All is fine I figure.

I go to the end of the building for a better view (I’m on the 5th floor). The car beside me has been moved. The operator continues on his way plowing the sidewalk. It’s -30C with the wind chill so I’m not going out if there is no reason to.

When I head home I find that the plow did scrape my bumper. I can see snow on the front that wasn’t there before. He didn’t report hitting the car beside me. It must have been one of their cars they parked while clearing the snow so they just moved it.

I can handle an accident. What got to me was that the operator didn’t report it.

Why does it have to snow in the city? I’m ready for hot weather…

Today is the start of the Chinese New Year 4706.
Happy New Year!

About this time of year I wish I was heading south to somewhere hot, hot, hot. I love the sun and the heat. I survive winters by trying to stay active outdoors. I have to remind myself that I’ve been through worse.

A few years ago at Tremblant we woke up one morning and looked out at the thermometer. This is what we saw.

No matter how you look, in C or in F, it’s still the same: -39. That’s before the wind chill.

“I guess you don’t want to go downhill skiing today.”

“No.”

“Maybe cross-country or snowshoeing?”

“No.”

It was a short conversation. Somehow it’s all Dave’s fault that the weather is so cold. I think it’s because he seems to enjoy it. I still don’t get it.

Cross-country skiing is something that in the past I’ve done once a year if at all. Now I’m out there 2 or 3 times a week. What happened? It’s all Carla’s fault!

During the spring, summer and early fall I spend my lunch time running the paths in the woods near where I work. I’m not a particularly good or fast runner but I enjoy getting out. Carla decided to join me one day and we became good friends and running buddies.

Although she professes to hate running she asks me “What would it take for you to run through the winter?”. “Um, warm clothes?” I answer reluctantly. So I bought long pants and a couple of long-sleeved shirts.

Then came snow and more snow and running outdoors was less fun than it once had been. “Why don’t we cross-country ski instead?” she asks. So I go shopping again to purchase a package including waxless skis and fancy new boots.

Off we went along the paths into the woods. New equipment (it is all about the shopping after all) and a couple of outings later I was enjoying it. Soon we had Dave I. convinced he would like it too. He needed to buy skis as well. Carla was doing her bit for the economy without spending a penny!

So here we are today out in the woods. A runner happened along and became our photographer (that’s his finger in the top left corner). I (in the middle) even have a big smile on my face. I’m wondering what Carla will do to me next!