Gadgets

    I'm sure everyone has a cupboard full of useless gadgets bought or acquired in a fit of weakness. I have two slow cookers, one bought when the family still lived at home, and now too big for one person meals, and another smaller one perfect for cooking just for myself. I keep the bigger one for just one reason - I use it to heat up a big batch of apple cider to serve with Christmas lunch for the grandkids. Of course, I didn't need it this year as that event didn't happen.

   Here are two of my most useless gadgets:

    Have you guessed what this is? It is, in fact, an avocado slicer and pit remover. I have to confess to buying this myself (It seemed a good idea at the time). I also bought one for daughter and DIL but I'm sure neither of them has used it either. The pit remover is useless - easier just to whack the pit with a knife and remove it that way. The slicer is much messier than using a knife so it has sat in a drawer and will remain there until it is recycled to an unsuspecting buyer in a charity shop.

     This gadget is supposed to slice, dice, spiral and chop vegetables and fruit. I have yet to get it to work on anything, although daughter says it is useful on zucchini. I don't like zucchini! It was a gift from her as she never uses it - 'nuff said!

    Still very cold here so I have not "cast a clout" and won't until at least the end of the month. The wind was bitter on my walk to the mall and I was so glad to get home again. Not even any sun to warm my face!

A Lion or a Lamb?

    March definitely came in like a lion here yesterday - snow squalls, high winds - and today has stayed sunny but very cold. Wouldn't it be wonderful if, according to folk lore, the month goes out like a lamb with some mild, balmy weather? We can only hope!

   Our neighbouring region of York started booking appointments for shots to the over 80's today and there were pictures on the news of the seniors standing in long lines in the frigid weather. Not good planning on someone's part! At least by the time my turn comes the weather will, in all likelihood, have improved or I will be very reluctant to make an appointment.

   I managed a walk this morning and on my way back, ran into a friend whom I haven't seen in some time. We stopped and chatted for a while, getting caught up on this and that (we used to work together), but by the time we had exhausted our conversation, I was chilled to the bone. It was pleasant enough out today with the sun shining as long as I was moving but I quickly cooled down while standing. It took a hot bowl of soup and half an hour in bed with my book to warm me up!

This, That and the Other

    Snow flurries and gale force winds today so I have stayed indoors except for a quick trip to the bulk food store - I needed bread machine flour to make a loaf otherwise I wouldn't have ventured out!

   A new book to tell you about - "Moonflower Murders" by Anthony Horowitz. I was interested to read that, as well as having written seven other murder mysteries, the author is also a screenwriter, having created "Midsomer Murders" and "Foyle's War" - a talented and prolific writer indeed!

I often mention my family and thought you might like to see them for yourself. This photo is a few years out of date but is my favourite one with daughter, SIL and Grandkids.

   

Missing the Sun

    Dull and dreary here but the snow is gradually receding and some rather dead grass appearing along the edges of the lawn. I was quite chilled when I got home from my walk and spent the afternoon snoozing in bed. Hope I'm not coming down with something!

   It has been rather amazing not to have had a cough or cold all winter - probably due to wearing a mask on all outings. I guess we don't realize just how much infection we pick up from other people! Also washing hands well is a very good habit to continue once the pandemic is over.

   I got an interesting DVD from the library yesterday, "Detective Montalbano", and watched an episode last night. It is a mixture of drama, humour and relationships but, as it is subtitled, requires more concentration on the viewer's part. I will watch another episode tonight, I highly recommend it, but one is enough at a time.