Getting Geared Up

    Sunny today but still cold ( high of -2C) it's supposed to warm up later this week. I had a really long walk today, almost an hour, and sat outside until I got chilled. Things are looking up!

   On my walk I noticed that the tennis courts are nearly snow-free. It will still be a while until we get to play as the gates are still padlocked by the city. I will keep an eye on things and get my tennis group organized as soon as the nets are up. Can't wait!

    You can just see a rim of snow along the shaded side. It will be gone by the end of the week, I hope!

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.