A New Toy

 

   New to me, anyway. I have inherited a cell phone and finally entered the 21st. Century! I have been holding off as long as I could but finally gave in with the offer of a cast-off from the family (even the grandkids didn't want it although it seems pretty up-to-date to me). The plan they set me up with seemed quite reasonable too, so I will see if I use it enough to make it worth while. I can text as well (a new skill acquired!) and my photos should improve if nothing else.

    We've had a couple of pretty cold days but the sun was shining today so I set off for a walk around the neighbourhood. It was good to get out in the fresh air.

Finished!

 Ta-da!!

   It took longer than I expected to finally put in the last piece, but it's done! Started a new one today.

    We have had two beautifully sunny but chilly days separated by a snowfall. So, today was a day for shoveling and getting my Vitamin D at the same time. It wasn't very heavy snow so it only took me an hour to get the driveway cleared. The sun shining on the blacktop helped dry it completely. 

   That's my first shoveling stint this winter as son did the last couple of snowfalls. It probably won't be the last.

Another Weekend Survived!

   Haven't been outdoors today except for a trip to the composter in the back yard.  Yesterday I walked up to the library and it was sunny but quite cold. The return trip wasn't too bad as I was walking into the sun with my back to the icy wind. It takes me around an hour depending on how long I am in the Mall.

   I picked up some DVD's at the library and have a good book on the go - Philippa Gregory's "Dark Tides" - so, with my current jigsaw puzzle, I am keeping busy. We aren't able to go inside the library but can drop off and pick up items we have ordered. Also, there is usually something decent to watch on TV on a Sunday evening. Thank goodness for that!

   Tomorrow is Rabbie Burns' Night and we would normally have a party at my dance group, complete with "piping in the haggis" but that won't be happening this year. Judy is having her own celebration (with haggis and other goodies) at home with her family tomorrow and has promised to drop off some for me too. Something to look forward to.

Not quite finished but getting there! I am trying to stretch it out.

Vaccination Woes!

    Still no vaccines available in Ontario at the moment and, according to today's newspaper, the percentage of people in the province who have received both shots is 0.27%. That's right, less than one percent of the 15 million people in Ontario! You can see why I'm not holding my breath until I get a shot. On the upside our numbers are down a bit - only (!) 1,690 new cases yesterday and only (!) 14 deaths. I guess we have to be thankful for small mercies. You can see why I'm not venturing out much.

   The temperature was set to drop this afternoon so, before that happened I managed a short walk. The sun was shining but the wind was nasty so I just went around the block. At least I got some fresh air. Needless to say I have been spending quite a bit of time working on my current puzzle.

It's coming along nicely - not too difficult, This time I started with the sky! I expect to finish it on the weekend.

A Good Book

    I have just finished this book. If you like something with lots of family drama and dysfunctional relationships, you will enjoy this one.

The subtitle is "Sometimes Your Parents Don't Know Best"

   I have started a new jigsaw puzzle and will post details as it progresses. 

Early days! It's 1000 pieces!

      It is my youngest grandson's 11th birthday today so we are having a family Zoom meeting to sing him "Happy Birthday". He had a "virtual" party with his friends on the weekend which was a great success. They played video games and other fun activities. They are still in lockdown so no school or in-person meetings which must be very difficult for the youngsters. Do so hope it ends soon, our daily numbers are still high and they have run out of vaccines!

I Give Up!

    For the first time ever I have given up on a jigsaw puzzle - not because it was too difficult but because I couldn't face the task of filling in the sky!

   This is as far as I got. It was quite a tricky puzzle but, enough's enough! Besides I have a new one waiting to be started.

    I haven't been outside at all today as I am taking very seriously the instructions to shelter at home. I have to pick up some groceries tomorrow but will go very early in the hope that the store will be pretty empty. I haven't been to the store since last Sunday. Our numbers are still high but not increasing - over 3,000 new cases in the province today of which a big chunk are here in my city.

A Successful Departure

    My house guests are on their way to (mostly) sunny Victoria - at least there's no snow!

   We had a socially distanced farewell visit from the other family on my porch this morning. Who knows when we will all meet again. I drove Steve and the cats to the airport this afternoon and have just received a text that they are all checked in and on board the plane. Still quite nervous as to how the cats will cope with the flight (and a second one from Vancouver to Victoria) so I will be very relieved when I hear that they have arrived safely.

   It has been a long haul since they came to stay in September and, although it was lovely to have the company, I am quite happy to have the house to myself once more.

Things Are Moving Along

     My son (and two cats) have been staying with me since September and it has been lovely having their company. However, that is about to come to an end this week as their new home in Victoria B.C. is finally "cat-proofed". DIL went in October to oversee the renovations and it was not supposed to be such a long process! Their horse and dog travelled there in November, one by road and the other by air. Can you guess which went which way?

   Their furniture, which has been stored in my garage since their house was sold, was loaded in a giant van this morning and should arrive in Victoria some time next week. Ditto their car, which is going by train. Steve and the cats fly out on Friday, fingers crossed! We have new, more stringent lockdown rules in place but, hopefully, they won't prevent him form leaving. Stay tuned!

    All this has been horribly expensive but living in Victoria will make up for all the cost, hassle and inconvenience, I'm sure. I am already planning to visit some time soon!

Mission Accomplished!

    Managed to complete the puzzle. However, if you look closely, you will see a few pieces don't quite fit! Try as I might I couldn't get it to come out correctly so finally gave up.

    We have had two brilliantly sunny days (albeit quite chilly) so I have been able to get in some walks, and some Vitamin D. The secret is to dress appropriately. There were lots of others out enjoying the sunshine and I saw a cardinal in a tree. He should have gone south by now.

On My Bedside Table

     The library has been a godsend this winter with me making frequent calls to pick up books I have requested. Here's what is on my bedside table at the moment, not all library books.

   I have dipped into all the titles in the first pic. Am really enjoying "Dickens and His Carol" as it is witty and well written. I'm having a harder time with "The Prisoner's Wife" as it is a rather bleak and horrific description of life in a POW camp in Germany toward the end of WW ll. The Isabel Allende book I think I have read before but it is so interesting that I think I will continue with it, but first I will read "The Paris Hours" as I only have it and the other library books for 3 weeks. Happy days!

   The second photo is books that I have for backup, in case I run out of anything from the library, mostly borrowed from friends. I, luckily, have several friends who are also keen readers like myself.

A Work in Progress

     With the recent cold snap I have been working on my new puzzle. It is a tricky one and I have had to redo certain parts. It is taking quite a bit of time and effort to get it right but I certainly am not in a rush to finish it.

Yesterday morning, another snowy scene. We had more snow overnight.

I started with the border, as I usually do, but soon realized it was better to start from the centre.