Just now, sitting on the back stoop, arms resting on my knees, dog snug against my leg, on a bright day that is now waning into late afternoon.
It's warm compared to yesterday, but anything's warm compared to that: -13C (8.6F). I had refused to turn up the thermostat (because it's October, damnit) and so spent the day shivering. We hooked up the electric blanket and went to bed at 9 o'clock, blocks of ice shaped like feet bumping into each other, yelps to "get over on your own side" in a bed the size of a football field. I don't like complaining about the cold because local folks can hardly wait to see how "the new people from Ontario" will cope with north Alberta's aptly named Cold Lake. We know cold, though. Both of us are hardy crops. The thing is, we're used to a woodstove, where you ignite a few sticks of maple and bake yourself down to your summer underwear faster than it takes to make porridge. The furnace here heats the air, not the house, and, the minute it shuts off, cold gels all feeling left in those icicles we once called toes.
The fighter jets drone overhead. Sleek bees with needlepoint noses. Incessantly practising to save the world.
Inside, I hear my coffee's ready.
I did make note of ice on a local pond this morning.... yes, October's quickly fading into oblivion.
ReplyDeleteIce? Ugh... Dave left a glass of orange pop with ice out on the front porch the other night and it froze solid, ice and all. Looked like one of those candles.
DeleteWish we were that cold...
ReplyDeleteMove north, young ninja....
DeleteI miss the forced hot air heat I had in WA. Here it's electric or the extremely expensive oil. I don't like to be hot so I've never been a huge fan of fireplaces or woodstoves....they do get the room way too hot for my liking.
ReplyDeleteYeah, oil is CRAZY expensive. We had it in Sundridge, a small house, and it cost us $800 a month.
DeleteI LOVE the image of you and Vern soaking up the sun together.
ReplyDeleteWho's Vern?????
DeleteBrain death, Vern is the much loved dog - of someone else. I am so sorry.
DeleteDon't be sorry! That's HILARIOUS!!!!!! ox
DeleteInvest in bed-socks and hot water bottles.......or snuggle up to Dave a bit more! ;-)
ReplyDeleteYes.. snuggle! There's a great idea!!
DeleteFelted wool slippers over socks. Not a perfect system, but helps keep the toe frost from forming so quickly after the furnace goes off.
ReplyDeleteJanel, I am REALLY enjoying your book. Reminds me so much of Weezie!
DeleteCathy - long time no read girl. I'm like seriously inspired by your commitment to own your role as author. And I'm getting your book, of course. Worse (for me, maybe, not you) I'm inspired to go for NanoWrite this month for the first time ever. If you can do it ... etc. Respect from the warm part of North America.
ReplyDeleteHi Mike!!!! Great to see you!!!! Look me up on Nano as a buddy. My name is Matthiasville!!!
DeleteAlso I really wanted to download and save that picture of "you" in the sailboat. Hilarious! Wanted to add it to my rotating screen saver. But no ....
ReplyDeleteCheers my friend.
Her name is Hilda - you can find all kinds of versions of her online for your desktop! She's the sexiest thing ever.
DeleteThat's a nice moment to live, when you don't have to interact with the world, and if you do, it'll be on your terms. Even in the middle of needlepoint noises.
ReplyDeleteCold Lake is Canada's largest air force base and the fighter jets come and go all the time. When we first moved here we'd look up every time one would fly by – it's funny, even after a few months, we barely acknowledge them. They are cool, though! And yes, moments like that are really, really lovely. Thanks John!
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