Just a Few Jottings

     Got my shots this week - Covid last Monday and 'flu on Friday - no side effects. So I am set for all the winter coughs and sneezes.

   On Thursday I attended my first R.O.D.E.O. lunch of the year (Retired Old Dames Eating Out). This is a group from our Probus club and we are eating "around the world". Norma had made up passports for us to record each meal and thoughts on the different restaurants. This week it was A for Afghanistan and she found a local restaurant with food from that country. It's called Naan Kabob and I had a Paneer wrap and a delicious mango smoothie. Next month we are visiting The Balkans, can't wait to see what she comes up with.

   Exercise class was cancelled on Friday (Alison had twisted her ankle) so I went for a long walk instead and managed 5,000 steps. It was surprisingly mild, in fact a record was set for Oct. 28th - 23C!

A Fristy Frosty Morning

    The nasturtiums in my header photo had to go yesterday as frost was forecast last night and, yes, there was frost on the pumpkin this morning. I was out early for a dental appointment and didn't leave any time to scrape the ice off the car windows - nearly made myself late! After the dentist I was due for my Covid shot but I had been hoping to also get the 'flu shot. That's booked for next Monday.

   Tennis on Sunday was brutally cold but we soldiered on and managed two sets. The wind screens had been taken down and the wind was pretty strong. The sun finally appeared and I was actually beginning to warm up by the time we stopped but I never did manage to take off any layers. We must have looked a fright in our winter jackets, hats and gloves. Just two more days, Thursday and Sunday and that will be it until April. Boo Hoo!

   The leaves have finally started to turn and, no doubt, will be littering the lawns and sidewalks soon. But I did manage to grab a few shots at the park on Sunday.

This bush is actually in my back yard. I think it's called "Burning Bush" for obvious reasons!

Eating Out

    I don`t eat out very often but this week was an exception - two events occurring in the same week! In fact I could have had two meals out on Thursday but common sense prevailed and I turned down one invitation.

   On Tuesday it was the monthly lunch at one of the retired teachers` groups I belong to. It was preceded by a craft sale with some of our talented crafters displaying their wares. This year it included baked goods by my friend Susan who had baked pies, tarts and cookies and was selling them at incredibly good prices. I bought lots and she almost sold out! The meal that followed was a delicious lasagna and Caesar salad with apple crumble for dessert. Any meal I don`t have to cook myself is always a treat.

   Thursday was my daughter`s 50th birthday (unbelievable, right! Where has the time gone). The six of us met at an Indian restaurant where we ordered several tasty dishes which we passed around to share. Some were a bit too spicy for my taste but I tried a bite of everything and drank lots of water to cool my burning mouth. Lots of lively conversation and jollity with the teenagers around the table so I was sorry to say goodbye (hugs all round) and make my way home. Judy sent me home with a slice of birthday cake which I will have tonight.

   The other meal on Thursday was lunch with some members of my Probus group following the meeting and speaker. Not all members opt to attend but it is usually a nice way to end the morning and socialize with new and old friends. Maybe I will attend next month. We had an excellent speaker this time (not all are!), her topic was "Agatha Christie and Archaeology". Who knew the great mystery writer was also very knowledgeable when it came to Egyptian artifacts?

    So, a busy week food wise but now I will have to eat more abstemiously to make up for all these extra calories!

A Cold Thanksgiving

    Monday was the Canadian Thanksgiving holiday and the weather was very unseasonable. Usually October is just an extension of summer but not this year! A bitter north wind combined with dull overcast skies made for a miserable weekend with temperatures in the low 'teens. In fact the overnight low was only 8C.  

The family were out of town for a couple of days so we had the Thanksgiving feast on Monday and a right lively event it was too! As you can imagine, with three teenagers, there's never a dull moment. Suffice it to say the food and the conversation were plentiful - pumpkin soup, turkey and all the trimmings (two kinds of potatoes) and pumpkin pie with whipped cream for dessert. Dave cooked the turkey in the BBQ and it was a sight to behold, brown and glistening and so tender! There also was white wine and oldest grandson made the pumpkin pie. After the meal I waddled home and had a nap then vegged in front of the TV for the rest of the evening. 

    I had to miss the Thanksgiving social at the tennis club which also was on Monday but I didn't mind as it was "pot luck" and the weather was so unpleasant that not too many showed up. I heard after that everyone was playing in their winter jackets! The following day, the end of the coffee socials at the same club, wasn't much better, a rather dismal end to the season but I did attend that and at least managed to shed one layer of clothing as the sun came out for a bit.  There was even some leftover food from the previous day's party so not a bad morning after all. Later this week the bubble goes up for the winter club but I don't plan on joining. It's pretty expensive.

    Since then it hasn't warmed up at all but I am sure we will have an "Indian Summer" later this month or even in November. One can only hope!