jan. 7 This morning the sun is shining. I must turn my attention to what is on my own plate today. I have duties to those in my sphere of care, and chores to perform, but I don’t want to ignore the events of yesterday which the whole world watched in shock. The frightful scene…

 jan. 4                   I went to bed early on December 31, not even staying up to see the New Year in. [The country air demands extra sleep, or perhaps it is winter, reminding me to hibernate, keep warm and watch for the sun’s return. It already seems…

 dec. 31 Here is Fig, more like his old self. Fig is better today: still can’t see but he is beginning to be aware of obstacles and locates me more easily. He is holding his tail up again after carrying it down in fear position and he is wagging more. He came for a walk…

 dec. 28 Fig is okay. He is eating, going outside and wagging his tail (a little) and fiercely scolding Blackie when the big dog comes to visit. These are all good news, because Fig had an accident late Tuesday night.  He fell all the way down the loft stairs (16 steps) thumpity thump thump thump,…

 dec. 27 The moon last night.  “It came without ribbons. It came without tags. It came without packages, boxes or bags. And he puzzled and puzzled ’till his puzzler was sore. Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn’t before. What if Christmas, he thought, doesn’t come from a store. What if Christmas, perhaps, means…

dec. 23 Yesterday, driving home from town.             Today, the sun will be out soon.                                     Blue sky and new snow.         https://youtu.be/Zm7Goz05MrU Van Morrison, I wanna roo you. “Twenty-third of…

 dec. 21 the winter solstice a candle for sun-return  The oldest human ritual, the prayer for sun-return, is today. The sun at its most southerly position, and the shortest day of the year, mark the beginning of winter, and the beginning; for which we light a candle, burn the fire bright, and bring evergreen boughs…

dec.17  Mumma’s golden chickpea curry 1 cup chickpeas, dry – this is the secret of the recipe! Rinse and soak overnight in 2 inches of water. Drain and replace water and boil 70 minutes. Set aside. 1 med. onion chopped fine 3 or 4 cloves garlic chopped fine or crushed  3 slices ginger root chopped…

Sun Dog                 dec. 16  Today it is 18 degrees below and sunny: perfect for sun dogs, with which we are familiar from Edmonton, but which I have seen on occasion in Toronto, mornings and late afternoons. They are created by some atmospheric magic not unlike rainbows. Sometimes there…

dec. 13      This afternoon the sky is showing promise of a clear night. Tal put the chairs on the porch for us to watch the Geminid Meteor Shower tonight. It is warm in the sun but with clear weather often comes colder temperatures and the wind is picking up.  Winter Tea 1 or…