updates and thoughts........

It's early evening and all is quiet. I'm hoping to hear the sound of a snowblower revving up on the street........one of my many neighbours with that kind of toy who will save me from renting a jackhammer to clear out the end of my driveway. I tried to shovel the stuff after work when I got home, hoping it would've loosened up a bit from the warmish temps today. No such luck. The storm that hit yesterday brought snow, ice pellets and rain which then froze over like cement by morning.

Does this not sound like a little piece of hell?

However, I do have hope. This is a street filled with boys with toys. Charlie, the cigar chomping Hummer driver with a superb francophone accent, AND a pick up truck with a plow on the front of it isn't home from work yet. Normally, on his way past my house, Charlie will get us out of a snowpile jam with his pick up if he happens to be driving that vehicle. He's a little heavy handed and footed with his help and has in the past dug up the side of the driveway in his attempts to be neighbourly....... the last time he helped, he heaved up the snow and blocked off the side door and the whole side of the house with a 10 foot wall of the stuff. But, he means well........ and if he could just plow by tonight, I wouldn't care if I can't use the side door until June.

Perhaps if I made a pathetic swipe with my little Canadian Tire shovel and then had a coughing spasm in the middle of the attempt while standing under the streetlight so the neighbours could see me, then I would be rescued. Its a thought. So is waiting until tomorrow when it's supposed to warm up again............

The problem? If it doesn't get done tomorrow.......... another f****ing storm is arriving on Saturday and I will be DOOMED!!




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I'm home alone. While I write this, my daughter is in Florida for March break with her friend, staying with her Grandparents (my Mom and Dad). I just got off the phone with her. They just made a successful trip to Target (a store not seen in these parts.......). I laughed when I heard the Ladies who spend their winters in the Sunshine State, remarked to Martha and Rachel when they arrived poolside in their teeny tiny bikinis and their lily white bodies......... that they better be careful in the sun with their virgin skin. Ah, New Brunswick winters have the magic of turning anyone's skin virgin like again. It's immaculate.

My husband and son are also away...........on a road trip with another father and son combo to Boston! As I write, they are ALL sitting in an IMAX theatre getting blown away by U23D!!!! Their itinerary today? Big breakie at Denny's.......tour of Fenway Park........Aquarium to see sharks........U23D at the Aquarium Imax............dinner somewhere and the piece de resistance? The Toronto Maple Leafs vs. The Boston Bruins.


As much as I would LOVE to be lying on a beach in Florida with my virgin skin, I would LOVE to be tripping it out in Boston today with the boys.



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Tonight, I didn't make dinner. It was grand. Instead, I ate a whole bowl of fresh strawberries and washed it down with a glass of wine. I positioned myself in the big comfy chair by the window in the living room that overlooks the river..............facing west. I tried to ignore that fact that the river is frozen over and covered in snow cement. Instead, I thought about how LOTS of snow is a good thing for strawberry fields, and raspberry bushes. I wondered if it would help protect the blueberry hills........and if it would hinder the maple sap running this month...... I realized how it may be a good thing for my perrenials all dormant and desperate to seek sun again.

And while I enjoyed my strawberries despite the distance they had to travel to reach me at this time of year, I caught sight of the dancing light on the rooftops on the other side of the river....I watched the sun slide behind the hills leaving wisps of pale orange....... I stared at the naked branches of the huge oak trees in my neighbours backyard, enjoying the silouette strength they exhibit at twilight, remembering just how gorgeous they were in their autumn glory and thinking how beautiful they will be when they bud in newness.



This winter has been drudgery.........no doubt about it. And, it's definately not over. As much as I would like to escape it right now....... I wouldn't trade my home for another place to live. Why? Because, there is nothing like seeing and feeling and INHALING the first true signs of spring after a long hibernation when you live in Canada. There is a sense of thanksgiving, hope and accomplishment all mixed together on the first day I find myself mucking about in my garden. I do love living where there are 4 distinct seasons. I guess if one could eliminate the month of March, then real true spring wouldn't be so exquisitely sweet.


The game is on TV.........hockey in March is never a good time for the Maple Leafs but maybe my two men will bring them some luck tonight. At the end of the first period? It's tied one all. This game has been on the calendar since Christmas morning when the tickets were presented to Max.........I hope it's a barn burner for his excited pleasure.