I’ve often said we are so blessed to live in Canada that if the weather were better, this country would be overrun. For many years, my family and I were lucky; my uncle by marriage owned a small hotel in Barbados that was paradise on earth, and then my mother bought a little condo in Florida. Most years we used to go after Xmas or in the March break; that moment of walking off the plane, embracing the sudden hit of soft warm moist air – bliss.
But not now. We had a record snowfall last week, still mountains of snow everywhere, it’s very cold, the sidewalks are icy. Staying home is the best idea. That’s why I am beyond grateful, once again, for my bright house and new gas fire. And routine: today, Nicky’s dance party at 10, exercise class from B.C. at 1, at 3 listening to Eleanor while roasting a chicken and making leek and potato soup. I fed the birds, watered the plants, took my bi-weekly (yes, once every 2 weeks) shower, will try to clear my jammed inbox and desk. Big TV night, as always on Sunday: at 7, 60 Minutes then 3 hours of PBS, except at 10.30 I’ll watch the next episode of Somebody Somewhere discovered yesterday, very good.
Do I have anything to complain about? Most definitely nyet. Am I incredibly lucky? Da. Si. Oui.
The other day, watched the boys stagger with their hockey sticks around a big skating rink, created and maintained by volunteers in a local schoolyard. O Canada.
Dropped a lot of food off for Sam, who’s still very sick, and spent the rest of the day with the boys. I’d bought The Christmas Pig by J.K. Rowling, a lovely book with vivid short chapters, a boy protagonist with difficulties my boys can relate to – that woman can write, hope she gets discovered soon. Sitting with a grandson on each side, Eli with his head on my shoulder, reading them a good book: a first, they’ve been too restless until now. Nowhere I’d rather be.
Except, perhaps, Barbados. Reading them the book on a beach in Barbados. Yes.
Thomas helped me put up the hooked rug from Nova Scotia that Anna gave me for Xmas. Some old bag took a photo of it. No idea who she is.
2 Responses to “the bliss of a Sunday routine”
I love the boys and their hockey rink! In Edmonton, in early December, we watched our grandchildren race around the local rink, their parents talking to other parents at a suitable distance, and sharing around coffee with Bailey's, gingerbreads someone brought for the kids, doughnuts that someone else brought. You're right, it's very Canadian, isn't it? In the best way.
This rink, mid-afternoon Friday, was all men and small boys with hockey sticks. One man was whapping the puck into the net by himself, but periodically he'd pass it gently to Ben so he could (try to) hit it in. It seemed like the most Canadian thing, as you say, in the best way.