October 6 - As one of my favourite characters once said, Change is good. And it’s okay when every boring thing comes to an end.

 I know. It hasn’t been a year- but I’m taking a break to concentrate on a different kind of writing. 

Hopefully I’ll have some better news in a few weeks!

And you can be glad I’m not going to bore you silly any more. 

October 5 - Sometimes driving can be so rewarding … but for some reason when I drive there, he always drives back. Go figure.

The funniest part of today was when I stepped on the gas a bit heavy and according to Howard, almost scared the crap (he didn’t say crap) out of him. Well, I knew what I was doing - just preparing to enter a Main Street from a side road, and I knew I had a window of opportunity coming up - and I just slipped in there like a pro. But it was kind of rewarding, after the many times he had me bracing my hands on the dashboard. 

At least I didn’t tell him to Shut Up.

*************

From long ago - 2011 I think. 

I think last Thursday happened just so I could write about it, although that may seem vain on my part. We started off by doing a bit of shopping, which was pretty much an everyday, boring experience, so I won't say much about that. On the way out of the incredibly full parking lot (doesn't anyone work anymore?) the truck in front, while signalling a right-hand turn, started to curve to the left, which made Howard stop. Meanwhile, a car trying to turn into our path, blew its horn - well, I guess the driver blew its horn, or his horn, whatever, (which, come to think of it, is one of my three prerequistites for drivers' ed, the ability to swear, blow the horn, and slam on the brake all at one time...but I digress...) so Howard started to move forward so this car could scoot out. Meanwhile I noticed the truck was backing up into a parking stall, so I said, as Howard started to move forward -

"Hey, watch it, he's backing up...."

That's me, trying to be helpful.

And my dear husband answered:

"Shut Up."

So I did.

Well, we had a silent ride home, as I sat and thought of all the times he had helpfully advised me while I was driving, and the many times I had felt like telling him to Shut Up, but didn't. So I thought to myself, if he wants me to Shut Up, I will Shut Up, and when he mentioned some insignificant thing, I just ignored him, so then he Shut Up, too. Until we got home, and he asked me what time our Doctor's appointment was.

So instead of staying Shut Up, I Spoke Up:

"Well, how long was that Shut Up supposed to last? Just until we got out of the parking lot? Or all day? All week?"

By then I was laughing,  but Howard?  Noy so much.

October 4 - Digging up old memories ‘cos I ain’t makin’ any new ones right now.

 Let’s see. Today I walked to school with Will, did dishes, finished rearranging a cupboard, and made supper.

8 years ago (or whereabouts) I did this.  

Enough said. The original post got over 500 views  

Another Bucket List Item to Check Off - Yee Haw!

Okay. Here's a riddle for you - what are you doing, while sitting for an hour, that turns you into a muscle-sore invalid for two days?

Try horseback riding. I'm not sure how the horse felt after our little adventure, but I'm sure his muscles didn't ache like mine. After all, he wasn't straddled over a 4' wide saddle.

The rain was pouring down in buckets when we left Surrey, but Darcy of  Back In The Saddle Again in Langley called and said it was good there, so off we went in Penny's car. Of course she knew the route - she had directions from the Back In The Saddle webpage, plus from the internet, plus from her son-in-law. So after we were zooming down 88 Avenue for a while, I called Steve and found out how to get there. And we did, after about a 45 minute drive.

The horses, and Darcy, were waiting for us - and it wasn't long before he matched us up with our steeds. Nikkie was first - she got Bonnie ....

Chris got Earor ....

Penny (now known as Butch Cassidy) got Sundance ...

And I got Cub. Cub was very wide. Extremely wide. As in almost doing the splits wide. Oh well, I did manage to crawl up on his poor wide back, and we were off on a trail ride through a beautiful park.

We rode trails in Campbell Valley Regional Park but you'll either have to believe me, or check out the link, when I tell you how beautiful it was. I was too busy hanging onto my hat, my boobs, and the reins to take pictures.

Regarding the hat, since it could have been, as in supposed to have been, a rainy day and I had my hooded jacket left in Mission, I decided to wear Steve's cowboy hat, just so my hair wouldn't get wet. The hat was a bit loose, so Steve made me a wedge out of a strip of cardboard he tore off a box, and it seemed I was all set. For the car ride, anyway.

However the wedge got loose as Cub trotted down the path, stopping only for the occasional mouthful of sweet grass (he wasn't supposed to do that, but we were the ones who got in trouble, not the horses.) However ....

It was fine when he was just walking. But when it was trotting time? Well, just let me warn you - don't wear a Genie bra (or an Ahhhh bra) when you go trotting on a horse. Either wear the strongest tightest bra you  can find, or get someone (probably a husband or boyfriend or girlfriend) to sit behind you and hold onto your boobs. Enough said. 

So, between holding onto the hat, and trying to squeeze some shred of control of my boobs between my elbows, and hanging onto the thingie in front of the saddle and the reins too, I would have found it a tad difficult to take pictures. I hope you all understand. 

However, we made it back, safe and sound .... No, that isn't Cub without me, Cub and I are behind these three taking their picture, and wondering how the heck I was going to climb down from the saddle.

I don't know if it's the age thing or what, but I don't remember feeling the hurt of so many muscles after previous horseback rides - but then again, I haven't ridden since way way back - the last time was when I dragged Sheila to the rides at Trinity Loop. I do remember it was a bit bouncy, though. 

However, it was fun ... but I don't think I'll enter the Free 2-Hour Horse Back Ride Draw though. I don't think I could do a 2-hour one. I must be getting old.

Many thanks to Darcy, Bev and Tim for the adventure. Darcy's the one to call if you want to get back in the saddle, and Bev and Tim were our patient guides for the day. 

Here's a few more pics ..... and now I'm off for another ride - this time in a Semi to Prince George! 

October 3 - Not much here.

 Instead of waiting up til elevenish deciding what to write, I am just going to bed now, and leaving an almost empty page.

Not because I’m lazy but because I’m not feeling the best right now. Tomorrow will be better. 

October 2 - If I shake my head it won’t even rattle.

There’s nothing in my empty head
I think I should have stayed in bed
The keyboard sits in front and thinks

The stuff she’s typing really stinks

There’s nothing in my empty head
I think I’ll clean the fridge instead

I know I have to post some stuff
But boy today it’s mighty tough
Where sometimes there are tons of words
There’s just some lousy lumps of turds
There’s nothing in my empty head
I think I’ll scrub the floor instead

I know there’s times my words just flow
Like crazy weeds they grow and grow
But not today, they lag behind
I have a constipated mind
There’s nothing in my empty head
I think I’ll just crawl back in bed.

October 1 - The intro is harder to write than the post, so we’ll just leave it like that.

 Turkey Ham and Salt Beef dinner today, an early Thanksgiving meal combined with a going-away meal for Neil and Sarah, who are heading to Alberta tomorrow to start on a new adventure.

We even had some jamming in the shed, which was great. 

New member of the band - Howard with the Ugly Stick he won at a Lions Kitchen Party in 2021. 

Steve on guitar with some singing thrown in. 

And Richard on guitar and vocals.  

It wasn’t easy getting everyone in the picture - and when I finally did, there was Sarah, with her phone busy too. Oh well. 

And Christine and Macchie rounded out the guest list. 

In the spring of 1994, Howard and I decided to pack it all in and leave the Atlantic for the Pacific, for two reasons. One was to give the boys the opportunity of finding work (as they finished school) without packing up and heading to the mainland, the other, was work for Howard as the boat-building industry in Newfoundland back then went right bottom-up. 

Well. A few years after that, Brad packed up and moved to northern Manitoba, and now Neil is heading to Alberta, so as you can see, that part didn’t work out so well. And now Howard is retired, as am I, but that’s okay. I think we’re pretty sure that Steve won’t migrate - a year-round job for him depends on our moderate BC climate. 

September 30 - Oh, how time flies, whether you’re having fun or not.

 3 months in. One fourth of my promised year accomplished, and all it has really made me realize is how absolutely boring I have become. 

We did get a bit busy today though, going to four - yes, four - different stores to get what we either needed or wanted. The toughest things to find were yellow split peas - none at the Super Store, none at Walmart - but luckily enough, I found some in the back of a top cupboard in the kitchen when I got home, and tinned cream, not Fussels or Nestle, but stuff made in Holland, and exactly the same. So, all good. 

We even went out for supper, to Denny’s  restaurant. I tried something new, a sizzling chicken skillet, which looked really good. However, it was loaded with huge slices of mushrooms, zucchini (which I absolutely hate), and raw - as in I couldn’t even stab a fork in it - broccoli. There also were pieces of red potato, and I love potatoes, and a piece of grilled chicken the size of an apple slice, and those got devoured- although I wasn’t fussy about the sauce they had everything swimming in. 

However, I’m not one to complain, but next time, I’ll stick to the omelette.

I will leave you with the memory of a sky train trip from Richmond to Vancouver. It might make you realize why I hate transit.

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Sometime in 2010

Today we were sardines in a can - on a bus ride to the Canada Line station. We joined the shortest lineup, hoping to sit for the journey. Once the comers disembarked, and we goers  got in the door, the rush for seats was a bit desperate. My legs got us to an empty seat, but before I turned my butt around to plunk it down, two young ladies slipped in and almost got me on a lap. I just stared in disbelief - me, who looks pretty damn old, grey hair flying, chin wobbling, wrinkles shaking - why, if I were already sitting down and saw me coming on the train I would offer me a seat. So Howard and I stood directly in front of these bastardettes, and I spent the half hour train ride trying to get the nerve up to fart - I know Steve, who has the dubious art of  Farting On Demand down pat, would have done so, just to impress his opinion on their rudeness to the elderly. However, there were two reasons I decided not to express my view in this manner, one being that I would have great difficulty breaking wind in public, as I was raised to be very polite in such matters, and the other that my stomach was starting to cramp up and rumble its discontent at having grease for breakfast and I didn't want to take any chances that I would produce more than air. 

September 29 - Some things ‘bug’ me - in different ways.

 Had blood work done this morning, and of course I had to log in to see the results. Sometimes that’s not a good thing  

I had a new test for Rheumatoid Arthritis - the base number is less than 17 thingamajigs - mine is over 117. So I guess either the meds I’m taking are keeping me well, or I’m in remission. I was hoping to be able to cut back on the prednisone, as I’m having some side effects, but I’m not sure if that will be possible. I’m seeing the rheumatologist next week, so we’ll see.

Meanwhile, after searching for the below post a few days ago, I finally found it a few minutes ago, and again, it’s from a time when my posts were a bit more interesting, and even maybe smile-inducing. 

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September 29, 2010

While walking to the store this afternoon to buy a mop, I felt something crawl on my leg inside my jogging pants. I don't know what everyone thought when they saw this old granny doing the hippy hippy shake, trying to get whatever it was to fall out of my pants, but nothing worked. I grabbed the lump - I could actually see it, just on the side of the knee that suffered the spider bite a few weeks ago - and I tried to squeeze the shit out of it, but it was hard and unyielding. I don't know how I managed to squirm the rest of my way to the nearest washroom at our friendly neighbourhood A&W, home of the Wonderful Mozza Burger, but I did.

Imagine my surprise when I dropped my pants and realized I tried to execute the knot in the end of the cording that keeps my pants up. I guess they are a bit large on me, seeing as how the cord travelled down my leg and almost caused a heart attack. I suppose you are laughing - I don't even know why I'm telling you this - except I have to write about something.

September 28 - Not going to bed until I come up with a few words to rite here. There, that’s it. Enjoy, smile, and good night!

 Another boring day in the life of me. Although Howard did install a new knife magnet on the kitchen wall, so arranging the knives gave me something to do. 

The knitting project I had started a couple of days ago got an early finish, because you absolutely know that all worsted weight yarns are not the same thickness, but you figure you’ll try anyway, and see how it goes. So it went, all right. Right in the garbage. Because at my age, life’s too short for frogging.

(For non-knitters: undoing knitting - ripping out knitting - rip it, rip it - like a croaking frog.)

I can’t believe it’s been 12 years since we left Richmond and moved to Surrey, but my Blogspot memories don’t lie. Since then, we’ve moved 3 more times - from Steve’s to the yellow house on the corner of the same street, where I moved a whack of stuff in Georgia (my grocery buggy, long gone, unfortunately), then back to Steve’s a year later, then all of us here, because in September of 2017, Howard and I came back from a trip back home to see a For Sale sign stuck in out front yard. 

We took our time moving from Richmond, every now and then bringing a truckload of stuff to Steve’s basement. Unfortunately, Howard’s idea of what could go early wasn’t mine, and I had a few times where something I really needed was over 20 miles away in a box. 

Which brings me to a Throw Back Thursday. 

*******************

September 28, 2011

Some evil phantom changed the timer on our coffee pot this morning - last night, whatever - so just after 3:30am the light sleeper lying on the adjacent pillow nudged me - bloody sharp elbow in the back, one of his favourite motions - to let me know the coffee was just about brewed.

So at 4 o'bloody clock I was up drinking coffee and eating toast, because if there's two things I hate more than drinking freshly dripped coffee at 4 in the morning,  they are drinking old stale coffee, and making new coffee twice a day. And then, because I was up so early, Howard decided there was time for someone nice to make a fried egg sandwich for his lunchbox, so as I slumped and swayed in front of the stove using an egg turner for balance, I didn't really appreciate his advice on how to fry an egg properly. He's lucky he didn't end up wearing the egg. Two eggs, actually.

After he went to work, I would have gone back to bed - or should I say mattress - only he already had the damn thing leaning against the wall in the living room, with the pillows and quilt neatly folded nearby. (The bed has been dismantled for a few days, just so there would be another empty bedroom for me to clean, and we've been camping out on the living room floor.) So - I watched 2 1/2 The Sopranos (although I can't for the life of me remember anything that happened), and I knitted some stocking, and I washed the walls in the upstairs hall. Not so much left to clean now, thank heavens! Although I am finding that the first stuff I did wash sort of kinda needs more washing again. Sometimes, one just can't win.

September 27 - Blah day.

 A do-nothing-much day. Went shopping for things I couldn’t find, the same things I couldn’t find yesterday, so finally smrtened up and clicked on Amazon. 

I mean, really? Micheals (craft store) doesn’t carry sew-on googly eyes? And Patons Canadiana yarn (which I wasn’t looking for, but saw a display while looking for googly eyes) is now $9.99 a ball? When I worked at Steveston Crafts’n’More, it was $5.99 (if I remember correctly) plus I got a 40% discount. 

I haven’t knitted in a long, long time, but have dragged out some yarn and started a couple of little projects in the last week, hence the need for the eyes. I do have quite a big yarn stash, but unfortunately a lot of my favourite patterns disappeared during our last move, so I have a limited library to draw from.

By the way, the knitting is going fine, but the sewing up part is pretty atrocious. My fingers are not as good as they should be, but I won’t let that stop me.

I’m also trying to build up the nerve to sit in front of my laptop again some day soon. 

But right now, I’m going to bed. At least that’s easy. 

September 26 - What brings readers to a blog? Content? Title? Title, I bet. X-RAYS, SPERM, and GRANNY PANTIES. Prove me wrong.

The post below, for some reason, got the most views for my 2010 blog posts. Can’t figure out why ….

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XRAYS, SPERM, and  GRANNY PANTIES...gotta read this now, don't you?

We've both had to have Xrays lately, as we're both getting older and wearing out. Sorta sucks, really, but there's not much one can do about that. I had to have my knee xrayed, as it hasn't been cooperating at all when it comes to the bendy stuff, and that's what my knee's main purpose is. At one time, it was important for berry picking and hauling mussels off the ocean floor - I don't kneed it so much for these fun things anymore, but I do kneed it for stocking low shelves and cleaning behind the toilet. 

Anyhow, I was smrter than one other older lady when I went to get my Xrays, as I wore a skirt, knowing that I could walk in the Xray machine room with my bare naked legs and get those pics taken with no fuss. While I was waiting for my name to be called, people were asked to go into the little tiny cubicles and exchange their attire for Xray appropriate clothing. At one time, the one-size-fits-everyone-but-me blue and backless number was the only choice, but now they have matching knee-length bloomers. The poor lady I mentioned came out of the cubicle wearing the latest style of bloomers, but I guess she never thought to put a pretty bow in the ties at the waist, because as she crossed the waiting room, the bloomers fell down to her knees and she flashed everyone with her granny panties. Because I could see this happening to me in the future, I could not laugh at her, but there were some smirky grins on the surrounding faces. 

What I couldn't help smiling at was the young Asian fashionista who emerged from her cubicle with her pretty blue gown, accessorized with her leather and faux fur vest worn over it and securely belted at her waist.

Howard, as you know, had to have Xrays on his wrist, but what surprised me was that he had to wear a lead apron. No one ever offered me a lead apron. No one ever imagined I would ever have the urge to procreate, but they took for granted that my husband could at any day or time be out there passing viable sperm. Well. I'm not sure what I think about that. Well, actually I do know, but I choose not to share it here.

So life continues. The doctor discovered I have arthritis in my knee, but when he put me on a treatment of Prednisone for asthma, my knee started to get better in the first few days. I'm glad Prednisone didn't know it was supposed to be for my lungs only. Howard's Xrays show nothing that would cause the pain and stiffness in his wrist, so it's still a search for and hopefully find a reason and a cure for that. And we'll both keep hobbling and wheezing and nursing our sore parts as life goes on - the alternative is not an option!

September 25 - If there’s such a thing as rainy day blues, I’ll be like Violet Beauregard by the end of the week.

 I haven’t done a lot of driving, but today I did drive to Walmart, because it felt like we had to buy something before we went to bed. It was raining, so I had to use both headlights AND wipers. Multi-tasking. Again, I stayed within the lines and never hit any pedestrians, so it was all good. Seems I parked a little too far away from the entrance, according to some people (person. Only one), so I just passed him the keys and walked on. As usual, he drove home. 

Reminds me of another time when we were in the process of moving from Richmond to Surrey, in 2011. Another rainy day, leaving Surrey early in the morning, with Howard driving the big blue truck.

On the way home to Richmond yesterday morning at an ungodly hour, while it was still dark and the rain was sloshing out of the heavens, and I was half asleep in the passenger's seat wrapped in my jammies, Howard says, "I guess we passed Scott Road, although I didn't notice it. Guess the light was green."

Well, that certainly woke me up. I hope to hell the light was green. So for the rest of the trip I had to stay awake and be the red-light watcher.

(In case you didn’t notice, I discovered coloured letters.)

So far, Autumn has brought us rain. Today? Lots of rain. I am slowly forgetting that Fall is my favourite season - at least, back home, it used to be. I’m sure we’ll get some Indian (can I say that?) Summer as October comes along. At least, I hope so. There are red leaves just waiting to canopy our streets.

However, right now is definitely not sandal weather, and I certainly am not used to wearing sneakers. 

My feet don’t like fall

They don’t like it at all

They don’t like the feel 

Of locked up toe and heel

Inside sneakers and socks

That spent months in a box 

When all summer my toes 

We’re as free as my nose

Feeling grass in the park

Now - alone in the dark.

My feet don’t like fall

They don’t like it at all. 

September 24 - A bit of here and now, and a bit of long ago and far away.

I often remark on how boring my day was, but today took the cake (or apple crisp, actually, as making one was my major accomplishment for the day.)

Howard and I did go the nursery (garden type) with Steve, which is always a treat. There are so many beautiful colours still available for a fall garden - Steve bought some pansies and planted them by the front door. They will bloom all winter long, so a blast of colour will be very pleasant.

So, I’m not only digging into the past tonight, but also going 17 days before this 2011 date, when I was on the verge of turning 12 years younger than I am now. Today is my sister’s birthday, and once again she will be 3 years older than me. Even though there’s been half a country between us for over 50 years, I miss her. It’s devastating that she’s leaving us the same way our mom did. 

And here we are, two wee bonny lassies in Scotland, wearing dresses our mam sewed and cardigans she knitted, not realizing how damn lucky we were in our choice of parents

However - back to the later past. From September 7, 2011.

**************

 Man

September 23 - Oh the places we’ll go ….

 It was a bit overcast this morning, with the promise of rain, so we decided we’d leave early and go adventuring. I obviously need practice driving after 13 years of being chauffeured around, and there are lots of places I’d like to visit that Howard doesn’t want to chauffeur me to, so I took this opportunity to visit one of them.  

It wasn’t until we were there and almost ready to come back home that I realized I had been there before. Oh well. This was Howard’s first time so it was all good. 

Crescent Beach, way down in the southern part of Surrey. According to Google maps, a 23 minute drive, so yes, a bit far to walk.

Traffic was light, and except for the one-sided conversation from the passenger seat - 

Slow down …

You’re over too far …

Light turned green …

4 way stop ….

Change lanes ….

Etc …

- it was, I thought, a pretty good drive. Nobody honked at me, not everyone was passing around me, and I didn’t hit any pedestrians, so there. 

This is one beautiful beach. There was a fair breeze, and the smell of salt water was thick in the air. Howard had to hold my hand so I could scramble down over the rocks, though, as my balance isn’t great, but other than that it was fine,  just strolling along near the water. Except when I turned around and saw I was all alone,

And had to scramble my way up to the path. 

I know. It’s only rocks. It was actually easier going up than coming down anyway, as I could balance myself with my hands, except for the last step when it was just lunge ahead and pray my feet didn’t betray me.

A few more pics -

On the way back to the car, I saw this rock and the only way to get all around it was by video. So it was a bit awkward taking the vid, therefore it might be a bit awkward for you reading it, but I thought it was pretty cool. 

Plus you can hear the waves rushing to the shore, so that’s a plus. 

Howard offered to drive home, so I said okay. Not sure why. I don’t think I scared  him on the way down, but who knows. Traffic was a lot heavier on the way back, and we stopped at the Super Store, where the parking lot would have made me quite nervous, so it was all good. 

And as soon as we got back home, and inside the house, the rain started. Now we’re supposed to have a few rainy days ahead. Guess summer really is gone.

September 22 - There’s no telling where our little Nissan Micra will end up now! Destinations are unlimitless!

 Happy first day of fall! I sure love this weather, but according to the forecast, it’s soon coming to an end. In fact, the next 7 out of 9 days are supposed to be rainy. 

Well, I did something today I haven’t done in about 13 years, and I must say, it was like riding a bike, only it wasn’t a bike. 

Howard is very happy, I think. He will probably never want to drive again. 

As the rest of my day was pretty boring - after all, how can I top me driving to Walmart? - I went archive diving and found two rainy day posts to ease me back into the season. At least now, I don’t have to go to work in it, and I don’t have to do transit with it. 

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(1)

Some days are better over and done with. Best thing so far? I slept in until quarter after eight, which was unusual and very much appreciated. Then breakfast and an hour's dose of The Sopranos before I had to get ready for my appointment at LifeLabs to get my Holter Monitor installed.

Meanwhile, the rain was tumbling down in sheets, and the search for my umbrella was fruitless. Upstairs, downstairs, (in my night gown), I looked behind and under and over everything, before I realized that maybe probably and positively - Howard had packed the umbrellas and drove them to Steve's basement.

The rain also produced a huge number of people on the bus, and I ended up being a short stander-upper for a block on my first lap of the trip. Because I couldn't see where the bus was, I got off waaaay too early, and ended up clipping along half a block to the second bus, cane clicking, kitten-heels clicking, and slowly getting damp. Luckily enough, I made it to the next street minutes before the bus, and I was in plenty of time for my appointment.

If anyone laughs now, I will be very upset.

LifeLabs Lady: You don't have an appointment.
Me: Yes, I do. 10:30, Thursday, September 22. 2 Road and Blundell.
LLL: No. We only have one Holter Monitor and that's booked out for 11 this morning. Hang on.
LLL: (on phone....)
Me: waiting...waiting...waiting....my bus transfer runs out....waiting ....waiting.....waiting....my knee hurts....waiting...
LLL: Your appointment is at 2 Road and Westminster.
Me: No, the lady told me 2 Road and Blundell.
LLL: Well, you're supposed to be at 2 and Westminster. Can you get there by 10:30?
Me: No. I'm going home. I'll make another appointment.

I don't know what the other people in the waiting room thought when they saw this littler old lady clomp out, and hopefully they didn't hear anyone say F... It under her breath.

When I got home, I checked my notes. Gilbert Road. I was supposed to be at the LifeLabs on Gilbert Road. So if I had gone to 2 and Westminster, I still would have been f....ed, as there is no LifeLabs on 2 and Westminster.

Needless to say, I don't have a Holter Monitor. Maybe some day I will. 

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(2)

The weather warning of the day is a Rainfall Warning, which makes a lot of sense, as it is a day I have to work, so I will be spending some of it standing outdoors waiting for a bus, which will probably be late, and will also probably be full of dripping wet people with dripping wet umbrellas, one of which will no doubt either drip on me as its owner stumbles down the aisle, or swipe across my leg in passing by. And to top it off, there's supposed to be high winds, so my umbrella, which was already turned inside out violently during our last wind/rain storm, will be in danger of losing its last remaining working ribs, rendering it into nothing more than a handkerchief waving and dancing above my head.

Anyway, weather aside, I seem to have once again succumbed to a pre-Christmas cold/flu/whatever, which is rendering me practically useless with no air space left between my neck and my forehead. My old friend Mr Buckley's new Mucous and Phlegm (aren't they perfect words for the stuff ?) syrup is utterly useless - with a name like that you'd think it would work well, as no one is going to buy it because it sounds good. It certainly doesn't taste good either, so it has nothing at all in its favour.

September 21 - I’ve never played golf, but today I got a hole-in-one. Cake, that is. Intrigued? Read on …

 This last day of summer was a beautiful fall day - 10 chilly degrees in the morning, and lovely 23 degrees in the afternoon. Even though the sun felt warm, you could still find that autumn coolness in the slight breeze. 

So, not knowing how many more glorious days are left, we took ourselves down to Bear Creek Park for a picnic. 

I had made a batch of bread yesterday,

so of course I had to make egg salad for our sandwiches this morning. These, and the date squares I also made yesterday (I won’t bother posting that picture as it’s just too boring), went along with us, bouncing along in Howard’s backpack until we found a perfect spot to sit. Unlike most of our summer’s picnics, this time we chose a spot in the sun

Well, at least where I was sitting was in the sun. 

The park still had a lot of vibrant colours, but my photo taking skills didn’t do them justice .

On the way back to the car, I saw this interesting tree. 

It had lots of pods hanging, as you can see. I used my Seek app, and it is in fact not a tree at all. It’s a wisteria vine (I think you call it a vine), and that makes sense, as it’s only a few feet away from the garden entrance arch, which is covered with a massive wisteria vine that must have been growing for years. On further inspection, I found that this was a wandering extension of said vine, and not a solitary tree at all.

Just on the other side of this is the real Bear Creek. The creek I used to watch salmon in is actually not Bear Creek at all, but Quibble Creek, which also runs through Bear Creek Park, confusing me, obviously.

I know it’s not salt water waves rolling onto a beach, but it’s still pretty.

The most interesting thing from today though didn’t happen in the park.

When we got home, I made a chocolate cake, using my Bundt pan, which always does a terrific job of both baking and releasing. However, for some reason, -

this happened. At first I thought I put the oven rack in squish (I had removed it when I baked the bread), but both Nikkie and Howard said it was fine. So Howard finally figured that a part of the bottom of the Bundt pan, because it wasn’t flat, had kind of settled between the grids of the rack, resulting in this. 

And to add to the mystery-

- there was a hole through it. 

But it tasted very nice, so in the end - all good. 

September 20 - I never ever thought I’d be wanting to go to bed at 8:30 in the evening, but here I am. Such an exciting life I lead!

I guess I had a busier day than I thought, as I’m absolutely knackered and would love to go to bed. And why can’t you? you wonder. 

Well, to answer your question, the earlier I go to bed, the greater chance there is that I’ll wake up at least once, if not twice, sometime during the night to pee. And I hate waking up at, say, 3am, stumbling through the dark with the possibility of stubbing my toe, or stepping on something either sharp or sticky, and probably waking Howard, who could decide to watch something on Prime Video on the 40” TV that hangs on the wall about two feet away from the foot of our bed.  

So that’s why.

Irregardlessly (Steve’s and my new word) of that, know I wasn’t busy 100% of the day, but just off and on. I made bread and date squares, we went to the dollar store, I did dishes (surprise, surprise) and besides walking to school with Will, that was about it. 6900 steps. 

If you’re bored reading about my boring life, you can check out the links below. They will transport you back to a time where I was more adventurous, and obviously had a lot more energy.

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5 LIFE LESSONS FROM THE SUMMER OF 2012:

• If you plant zucchini, someone, somewhere, will be making Zucchini Chocolate Brownies - Growing Things, Thieving Basta... Thieves, and A Couple Of Tunes ...
• Riding on hilly streets is a lot easier than riding on flat. On flat you don't get the benefit of the occasional downhill glide - it's pedal all the way - Barnston Island, Ferry Barges, and What The Hell Was I Thinking?
• Getting lost just offers different adventures - On The Road Again, Panorama, Peril and Police
• It's very funny to see people getting splashed by belugas. It's not so funny when the people getting splashes are you - Street Art, Vancouver Aquarium, and Hold Still - There's a Bucket Of Water Heading Your Way ....

September 19 - The more things change, the more they don’t.

As I was walking home this morning, after bringing Will to school, I realized that although things may change, they also stay the same. 

For example, I was listening to some tunes on my YouTube playlist, the AirPods in my ears picking up the music from the phone in my back pocket  

Well, it was 51 years ago (OH MY GOD - 51??) I remember walking to Trinity Cabins, also listening to tunes, although that music was drifting through the air from the boom box in my hand.

But - dontchya know - a lot of the music was the same. 

Brandy, (you’re a fine girl ….)

Brand New Key

Ben 

The Happiest Girl in the Whole USA

I could go on and on. But I won’t.

Of course, this wasn’t the only thing that changed but didn’t. A couple of years ago, I experienced the awful effects of something called Spontaneous Disembarkment Syndrome, which basically was like walking on a waterbed. It took me a few months to get back to a somewhat even gait, where  I could leave my walker first, then my cane, at home. I still have a bit of what I call the ‘wobbles’, especially when there are a lot of people around me, like holiday time at the mall or leaving a sky train or even walking.. People think we’re ‘cute’ as we stroll along hand in hand - what they don’t know if Howard wasn’t holding my hand I would probably wander into a pole, or onto the road, or somewhere I shouldn’t be. 

So I know you’re wondering. Back in the 70s, I didn’t have this affliction, just some of the symptoms, and only when I had a bit too many Tom Collins or Whiskey Sours. And of course, they would be gone in the morning, just leaving me with a bit of a headache. Maybe that was the beginning, who knows?

And of course, then I’d sometimes go to bed at 6 (am) and get up at 8 (am), whereas now I sometimes go to bed at 8 (pm) and get up at 6 (am). 

One thing that’s changed big time - I need more sleep now. 

But another thing that hasn’t changed - afternoon naps in the early  1950s, and afternoon naps now. 

In fact, even though it’s almost 11pm, I think I’ll just have a nap now. 

Nighty night. 

September 18 - No hurricane here, just a bit of wind. (Blame it on the goulash.)

 Most fallish of fall days so far this year, and it’s still summer until next week, but as you know, I’m not complaining- yet. 

Yesterday our BBQ master had rain-kissed veggie skewers, but the rain was only a short shower. Today was sunny, but there were wind gusts that shook the huge trees in front of our house, and needless to say, we didn’t go anywhere. Not that I’d have been blown away - I’m not as fat as I was 13 years ago, but I’m still quite safe in a wind storm. It’s just that I haven’t adjusted to the change of seasons yet, and keep forgetting I now have a sweater. 

Rain in the forecast for the next couple of days - it will be nice to see green grass again, although it’s a bit late for the wilted flowers and the brown shrubs. 

Looking back at long ago, it seems I’ve always been sick. I don’t remember always being sick, but reading past posts seems to prove I was. Strange I’m still alive and kicking, actually, so I guess I owe a lot of thanks to the various doctors in my life.

The post below was written after I gave up taking Ramipril (for high blood pressure.) however, I am taking it again now with no effects, so maybe there was something else bothering me back in 2012 - one could imagine who it could have been … I mean, what it could have been. 

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September 18, 2012

Sooooo - feeling better today, no thumping, fluttering, pitter-pattering heart, no headaches (only the two-legged ones that come to suck one dry during a busy busy busy day at work), no dizziness. Good. However, now I'm worried that these pills were the ones that were helping me lose weight. What if they shrank my appetite? Turned me off carbs? What if, Heaven Forbid, they completely turned off my metabolism, and that's what's been keeping the scale so unadventurous lately? What if, now that I've stopped taking them, I once again blow up like a balloon, the week after I took all my too-big clothes to Value Village, and I'll have to go to work dressed in 10-year old Lycra Bicycle shorts and a one-size-fits-all nightshirt?

1. 
   

September 17 - I said it looked like rain, and it rained, just as Steve had the bbq going. Ain’t that life, now ….

 A cloudy, dull weather kind of Sunday, but my Sunday wasn’t dull at all. Went to the Superstore with Steve, and also went to his favourite meat store - Glory Meats, on 104 Street. Of course he had to make a comment about pork hocks - he still thinks it’s funny that his mommy was asking for por.. khocks at a store a couple of years ago. Just because I wanted to make pea soup and couldn’t find a ham bone. Oh well.

A short while ago, I made a statement that Howard and I never bicker. While diving into the archives this evening, I came across this little gem that kind of proves I lied.  Well, not intentionally, of course. 

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2010 ish

Today I realized that, even though we occasionally usually disagree over some most things, I have learned to differentiate between the 'little' things and the 'big' things, thus saving the sweat for the more important disagreements when I am definitely right and he's not.

‘Jeez, it's freezing!'

'No, it's not, it's plus one.'

'Well, there's frost all over the truck.'

'It's still not freezing.'

'Yes, dear, you're right. Can I put my feet on your tummy?|'

So that concludes the conversation, no use arguing over something I cannot possible be right about, not with the Weather Network taking up a substantial corner of the living room.

Meanwhile, a little-used part of my brain is trying to remember where I stowed my cute little shoes last fall.

'They're in the hall closet.'

'No, I looked there, they're not.'

'Yes they are.'

'I hauled everything out and they're not there, and they're not in our upstairs closets either...I have no idea where they are.'

So he walks over to the hall closet, reaches in and pulls out my little - well, to tell the truth, they're not really little - shoes and says:

'I told you they were there.'

'Yes, of course you're right, you're always right, aren't you?'

Now, to put a full stop to this one, I have to walk away and get busy doing something, like seeing if these shoes still fit.


Now, sometimes I know I'm right, but trying to get that across to someone who knows he's also right can be quite difficult.

'Do you remember when (insert friend's name) and I went to (insert place) to see whatever it was we went there to see?'

'That wasn't who you went with, you went with (different friend's name.)'

'No, I would know who I went with....you weren't even there.'

'Well, I know damn sure it wasn't (original friend's name.)'

Okay, then, this isn't worth arguing over. Sometimes just knowing one is right is enough. So the correct response to this situation is:

'Whatever you say, dear.'

And then, of course, there is the one where I know absolutely I am wrong, and he knows absolutely that he is right, but I would never admit to it.

'Where is that bottle of rum I bought last week?'

'Didn't you have it in the garage?'

'No, it was in the cupboard.'

'I don't think so, I saw it in the garage.'

'Why the hell would it be in the garage? I put it in the cupboard last Sunday after the game was over. I remember the kitchen was in a mess, and you were on the damn computer, and you were wearing your old sloppy track pants and drinking diet Pepsi, and there was snow falling and my wrist hurt. And when I put it in the cupboard I spilled the dog's water and slipped and almost broke my neck. So yes, I did put it in the cupboard.'

'Well, I saw it in the garage.'

But actually, I was wrong, even though I wouldn't admit it. I actually had poured it down the sink, but I would never admit to that. So the correct response in this situation:

'Whatever.'

Oh oh, better go...he's asking me if I remember what month we decided to move to BC - even though he says it was February, I know damn well it was April - this could be a lengthy one.

'

September 16 - My present life is pretty boring, but it’s mine. John Lennon said it best. Link below.

 Love this autumn weather - warm sunny days and cool nights - perfect for picking blueberries and partridgeberries, if there were any growing here. At least when I would go picking blackberries, I wouldn’t have to wear one piece of clothing inside-out, as I’m pretty sure there are no fairies where I live. 

Remember my heart Hoya plant that miraculously grew a leaf? And I had myself convinced there were more growing?

Well, there are. Two little green stumps. And they are big enough now I know they’re not just a hopeful part of my imagination. 

Did a bit of housework today, plus baked a blueberry pie and a Butter Pecan cake. Tinned pie filling, frozen pastry, and cake mix, so I guess it’s not really anything to brag about. We also went to Walmart and picked up some stuff, including a 4 cent bunch of bananas. Steve said we must be placing them on the scale incorrectly, but we just lie them down as if they’re going for a nap, and I don’t know any other way of doing it. Howard won’t let me tell an associate. I guess I’ll carry the guilt to my grave, although I guess it’s good to talk about it. 

We also went for a short stroll after supper, which brought my step total to 2,214, which isn’t much to brag about either.

https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=YBcdt6DsLQA&si=F_XEX7iSyVjQZFZm

September 15 - After using all my words in tonight’s post, I have none left for my intro. Sorry. Not really.

 Unfortunately, yesterday’s groove has disappeared, and this wasn’t a great day. Didn’t start off too badly - walked with Will to school, had a couple loads of laundry dry on the clothesline, did dishes (of course), and walked to 7Eleven with Howard because he can’t get bottled water out of the tap. 

Other than that, I couldn’t find the energy or desire to do anything but nap. But at least I’m not tired now, and it’s only 9:24. 

I found this on my bedroom wall this evening when we got back from 7Eleven, and kind of wish it was permanent. 

 

So, what is it?, you may ask. Well, it’s the silhouette of the cacti in my window, at almost dusk, hence the dark colours. And yes, I do need a hobby. 

Anyway, I’m diving into the archives tonight with no apologies. It’s just been that kind of a day. 

We’re going way back to around 2010, back to the old days when we lived in Richmond and Zellers was still our go-to-shop. 

I miss Zellers - but I digress. 

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My better (?) half isn't all that fussy about shopping. A quick trip to the mall to pick up my knitting magazines takes a major effort on his part, and at Zellers he just wants to look for, and not look at. Therefore, our shopping is usually done under pressure, as in, 'Let's get the hell out of here, I have to use the washroom,' and most of the time I end up going home with something important left behind.

Things I have learned about shopping with a husband:

• If we need milk, go get milk. I don't need to examine the different tubs of  Philadelphia Cream Cheese and Becel on the way to the milk. No need to price-compare the butter if we don't need any. And buying a dozen tubs of yogurt because they are on sale doesn't really save us money if we don't eat them all before the expiry date, which happens to be at precisely four hours and ten minutes after we get home, which is why they are on sale in the first place. So just get the damn milk.
• Never stop in the aisles. If I see something I need, just slow down and grab it on the way. Stopping half way down the aisle to exclaim about the health benefits of Cheerios as opposed to Choco Crunch Marshmallow Sugar Blasts usually ends with a tall dark and scared stranger walking away quickly - and me realizing that once again, my husband has just walked on ignoring me. I am getting a reputation as The Crazy Lady Who Talks To Herself.
• If I'm going to forget anything,  I'll make sure it's on his List Of Things To Have, and not mine. If I forget my rice pudding, I can go back and get it if  I'm in desperate need. If I forget his Deep'n'Delicious Frozen Chocolate Cake, he'll just go to bed in a huff and  I"ll have a nice quiet evening to enjoy my rice pudding and Cheerios.

However, a trip to Canadian Tire changes all the above.  We can take the scenic route, all around the edges then in and out of each aisle before we end up at the proper department. which in today's case was just inside the entrance door. The driver's side wiper blade broke on a sunny day - go figure- so it was important to replace it today, as the rain clouds were rolling in. I don't know why it's more important to select the 'best' wiper than, for example, the best spaghetti sauce, but I won't go into that here.  So, to the checkout, then to the parking lot, so Hubby could replace the blade in case we got caught in a deluge on the way home.

After an hour passed, the new blade was proving a bit too much for him to install. I was getting a bit concerned as I watched him standing on his little wooden box so the could reach over the hood of the Dodge Ram, trying so hard to push that stupid thing onto the truck wiper thing, and seeing the veins in his neck and forehead pop out with the pressure. So he decided it's the wrong one we ....he....bought, so we trudged back in to change it for a different one. However, the kid behind the counter tapped his computer and concluded that the one we bought was indeed the correct one, and offered the service of a Canadian Tire mechanic to do the honour. This guy couldn't fit the pieces together either,  and concluded that the wiper was faulty, so I got the pleasure of following him through the service bay back to the store itself, getting another blade, and going through the exchange protocol. Finally, after they both figured out that the reason the blade wouldn't go on the whatever you call it, was because there were three different clips in the box...just in case the one that was on the wiper didn't fit. Hey, you guys who don't want to read instructions or open little plastic packs of stuff in the wiper blade box -be you shipwright or mechanic - I'm not surprised you don't want to read the list of ingredients on the can of tomato soup you're planning to eat for lunch.

Well, tomorrow another adventure awaits. It seems that before I go to work, we're going shopping for seeds. Oooooh, I love garden stores! Maybe I'll check out the herbs..the basket fillers...and the garden decor. If you're looking for Howard, though, you'll be sure to find him in front of the seed display, contemplating carrots, rutabaga and pumpkins.