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.