December 25th, 2016
I was going to, genuinely I was, then did not. What ! What ! holler my intrepid readers. (that would be you by the way) The answer,? Gearing up for “the annual trip”. I have to admit for a prolonged and protracted time, years and years and years I have been flying from Vancouver or driving back from the big little city. Montreal bound for such an eternal time I did not have to make a list of life to do it. Murphy, Libby or Lucy in tow, planes, trains and automobiles. Grasshopper or the latest incarnation, La TOMATO. Prep work started as the little red car had an oil change,did that before not after. Almost 1000 k before it was needed, as I have landed in la belle province and its holiday labour laws.
I closed the reservation systems that are not working at any price. (that has been a fight to the finish, not well documented of late but it is ongoing.) I put on a long distance plan for the cell phone and could receive, should I so choose, long distance calls from Bangladesh. I had been eating my way thru the fridge. (what is so different about that? One asks.) I went and got audio books at the collection at the library in anticipation of the grand departure. I have had so long they need to be renewed. The shoe box of accounting delivered, once we recollected and remembered where the accountant moved to. One last driving lessons for my neighboor.
New snow tires, were purchased as the last ones aided and abetted some fun times last year on the road. Likewise purchased were fuel injector fluid, new expensive winter windshield wipers, and cleaner for said windshield, not all at the same time. Lucy’s prescriptions obtained along with and went to several places to get her vitamins, a new giant bag of food, and some for me for the journey. I have a suspension on at Canada Post. I had my annual hair cut. Negotiations flew across the phone lines about accommodations the old girl and Lucy. There were plans made, things to do offered up, tantalizing food offered.(Chocolate if the truth be told to be consumed in Yuletide quantities. ) Festivities were bilingual this year, as there is Hanukkah and Christmas convergence, a contrariety of the calendar, falling on the same weekend.
Reading English always a preferred past time was difficult and all most impossible. Thru out the planning and prepping, I was not confident that I was even upcoming, or exiting. I was tuckered out, I would rather fight than switch. I was supposed to leave at the end of the week, weather permitting. Then it snowed, once more, this time for this weekend. I really don’t know what tipped in the direction of and inclination of my own bed. Lucy’s age, my geezer-hood, the atmospheric phenomenons, ice patches turning left into the la belle province, or just sitting for 12 hours, in La Tomato.
All was primed, up to and including stopping short of stuffing the hockey bag. Turns out, not one thing, but several, some listed above, I suspect, the grand gesture, pulling THE PLUG. Now one of the most annoying things of the year has been, one assumes that one my dear guests thought that his ministrations were to be helpful. Thus, took the chain off the plug in the bathtub, (the tub needs to be repainted one of the endless repairs scheduled for the new year,) it was thrown away! Making it difficult to raise the water level in said tub, as the water when running throws the cap into disarray, I solder on in two inches of water.
We did not go. No we are still here. Many people are confused as to where I am, I never left the big little city mostly tucked into clean sheets and pajamas. The weather of course has rained, snowed and otherwise been nice, inclement, and Canadian.
My days are filled with slumbering, working very hard indeed at being dormant,included in that finding new TV series on netflicks, and Lucy walking. I have been to boot camp, in its normal time period but upgraded to a warrior class, first time ever, WHY would be a good question, that would be an hour and had half . The 12 days of Christmas pyramid was featured. Commencing with a 30 second dead bug, up to 12 Russian twists, and back down with jump lunges, uneven trx push ups & rows (some of my favs) triceps dips, burpees, squats, shoulder presses, leg curls and rope slams (don’t ask) then we ran out of time! Thank God,dess,
Back in a hurry to dormancy, proceeding to have a nap, or two. I had every intention of going to church, last night as it is a beautiful service. Here is it the next day. One exception for an 11:10 pm emergency, the fire alarm chirped and chirped. I was asleep but Lucy got all nervous, shaking, shivering at the sound of it. I thought actually as she was quavering that “this was it.” To assure you, no it was not. With Lucy out side, I climbed the stairs, battery in hand to concentrate. Then climbing on chairs thru out the bedrooms at the last room of the night, we changed the electrical device to keep us all safe. Pursued Lucy around the back yard, in boots and pajamas to get her inn, Her quirkiness on full display for all to see.
There we have it, and here we are again, Happy, happy Christmas, that can win us back to the delusions of our childhood days, recall to the old man the pleasures of his youth, and transport the traveler back to his own fireside and quiet home! Charles Dickens, Moi and surprising, Lucy P