Incestuous Cacti

This is the most glorious display we've ever had.  Every year it seems to get a little better.  David  cares for them constantly, but a lot of it is benign neglect--and this has been the case  for years.  Ours didn't bloom for many years, but started just before we left the house on Woodside.

Today's forecast--freezing rain followed by blizzard conditions.  Go figure!  Glad I don't have to go out.  I was in the studio listening to the radio just before supper.  There has been some sort of accident downtown that has resulted in the lights at several corners blinking red both ways.  This is supposed to mean a four-way stop, but people are ignoring that and the result has been close to gridlock--with the freezing rain moving in.  I may complain of missing the socialization associated with working, but on a day like to today--no way!

Didn't win anything on the weekend.  Congratulations Beth.  David went out today and checked our tickets, then reaching into his pocket to buy new ones.  Somehow we only ended up with one for Friday, and none for today, but neither of us was willing to walk across the street to buy one.  So scratch tonight's draw, but we now have two for Friday.

Gorgeous

And I was so proud of my little cactus with one flower - but since mine is of the same family I suppose I can just hope mine will grow up some day and produce just as beautifully!
I spent some time with our server Technician on the phone - not the same as having a geek come to the house Patty !! But I did get satisfation and rectified my concerns. This fellow was so patient and understanding and really helped me with the issue. Slow day today but productive in some ways. Tomorrow I go to North BAy for a purpose and hoping the weather will hold out. It is snowing a bit now. Last night we went to our concert and I must say how wonderful it was to get out and really have a good time. He (Scott Woods ) and his band put on a great show - well worth the going. We now have every one of his 15 CDs as Harry bought the final two last night. I listened to a bit of the music today and heard several of the tunes that I used to play when I was learning violin - made me feel a bit nostalgic about wanting to play again but that will quickly pass! I turned in a lottery ticket today and surprised it won $20.00 - it was the Lotto MAx from last Friday and I knew I had three numbers right but didn't know it would net that much $$$. So I bought another ticket for tonight and again on Friday nights draws.Here's hoping.... anyway, dishes and then to bed early for me. I bought a few more books the other day in North BAy but just not up to reading yet. I'm sure I'll get back to it soon, but in meantime just listen to a bit of radio before lights out!  Take care

David wanted to share the fantastic display we have with our Christmas Cacti.  Click once on the picture to get a better view of the blooms.

Great to see your message

This is great to have you respond directly onto the blog Cathy and I hope you will as lucky next time you try. If only you knew what seems to be the problem...easier to rectify! Keep trying. Hope you trip to the mall Patty was successful. It has been a quiet day here today - I am slowly bringing more decorations up to try to brighten up the front room in a Christmas mood. Just to have the Christmas tree up and be able to get up early and turn on the lights and sit and drink my coffee in the quiet and peace created brings me some joy. 'Tis the season, right? Harry got a food steamer free off of Kijiji and tonight we tried it - three layered trays over top the water reservoir - we tried carrots, potatoes, cauliflower, onions and hot dogs. All were cooked to perfection in the one steamer all together and very tasty. It really is quite an interesting way to cook supper and could become a favourite - I would have to try a few other food types and variety to be convinced. All for now...take care.

OMG!!!

Every day I try at home and at work and today work let me in again.  Yes, I should be working , but NO, I am not going to pass up this opportunity.  We have lots of snow, but it has rained 3 days in a row (4 if you count today) and it is treacherous out there.  Yesterday the fog lasted all day.  Rrain was performing in 2 choirs at the annual christmas concert, so I went for the first time ever (It has been sponsored by the Choralliers for 34 years)  It was really quite nice.  There were 2 school choirs,  3 church choirs, 1 Hutterite choir, the Choralliers (female singers), the new Community Choir, and a Korean Choir.  The Koreans blew us all away.  Are they ever good.  The conductor of the Community Choir is one of the Koreans and Rrain says he is really good.  He demands the best from them, and challenges their abilities.  I am glad I went, but coming home was a challenge.  The fog was so thick I had no idea where I was.  We knew our road was coming up and I had slowed down to 20 kph trying to see it.  We made it home okay (obviously)  I am taking Wednesday off work to go to Brandon.  I won't go on the weekend or evening, but I will try mid-week.  I am the opposite of you Pati.  I hate the mall at this time of year.  Maybe it is because we only have the one and everyone from 200 miles around is there.  I want to pick up some small gifts this year.  I missed our Santa Claus Parade this year since they held in during the day of the craft sale.  Ours is like yours Beth.  Semi's, tractors, fire department and a few community floats.  OUr local mayor and reeves all travel in it in their cars. In the summer they try to have some sort of convertable so they can wave.  And in the summer we get all the antique tractors. (about 20) and the local car club with their "hotrods"  Work carries on. We are planning Mallories retirement tea. It will be December 14th in the afternoon.  We will have to box up all the mess in the office for that afternoon and hope we find it on Monday.  Her last day is December 31.  I better work.  Hope I can do this again soon.

Yes!!

You have so very accurately described the feeling I get around this time of year.  We have so few friends, and spend so much time at home, that the busy-ness and air of excitement rarely ever touches us. This time of year I love to go to the mall, and either just walk around, or sit and have a cup of tea.  I love the feeling of excitement and actually feel a part of that excitement, just by being in the crowds.

This is actually part of our plan for the day.  We have a few Christmas gifts to buy, and will be heading for the mall.  It surprises me to realize how little time we spend in malls these days.  We have few needs, and tend to meet those needs at discount stores.  It seems that the mall has changed every time we go there now.  Different stores etc.  Laura Secord has left our mall.  It was one of the original stores from the very beginning. But--we don't shop there any more.  Our patronage had dwindled down to buying two Easter Eggs at 75% off the week after Easter--and we didn't do that last year.  Our Bay store turned into a Zeller's a few years ago, and has now disappeared.  We hear that there will be a Target store in that spot soon.

Tonight is my monthly Ravenesque meeting.  I wasn't up to attending last month, and the ladies must have been surprised, as I'm always there.  Yesterday I  got an e-mail offering me a ride.  Now, the meeting is off south Pembina Hwy beyond the University, and this lady lives in Garden City, although she works around here.  I declined.  I need the practice driving, and I want to have my car to be able to leave when I need to.

David did well in his tournament last night, but unfortunately, didn't win--so no trip to the Bahamas this winter. Guess I just have to appreciate what I have, and be grateful that the warm weather is keeping out hydro bill a little lower.

Come and gone?

Winter, that is? By the looks and feel of things outside right now, apparently so. But I know it is just a temporary pause. The snow is gone, the roof is completely bare, and the outside ornaments look out of place but I know that too will change very soon. I took the dog downtown last evening for the annual Sundridge Christmas Parade and the Lighting of the Tree. Lots of people lined the street to watch as the parade come slowly by our vantage spot - police cars leading with lights ablazing, then a few township floats, and then Santa on a sleigh pulled on a trailer by a truck, and more fire trucks with horns and sirens and lights !  If we didn't have a volunteer fire dept the parades wouldn't be near as exciting haha The coffee shop, normally closed on Sunday had opened its doors and seemed to make a great business with folks dropping in, and the real estate agent had a table out front with coffee and treats to eat and balloons for the kids. All the business had windows adorned with decorations, and all in all very colourful and cheerful with the people all around. I did not follow the crowds down to the school where the tree was to be lite but instead came home. By then a soft light shower of dampness was falling - not really rain, but a heavy mist like feeling, so home I came to warm up. Scooby did not really know why I was staying downtown for so long as we usually just quickly go by the lake, up the main street and then home.It was nice to get out of the house, and particularly to be entertained - made me feel good! The other thing is that people see you there and you feel as if you are supporting the community activities - Cathy, you may feel the importance of this perhaps more than Patty, living in a smaller community.Well, the week starts again. Tuesday night we have tickets to see the Scott Woods Christmas Show in Trout Creek - two towns up the highway from  us. This is the Grand Champion fiddler from Fergus Ontario that tours around North America with his band -very entertaining show as we have gone now three years in a row - each at a different venue across this area - first North Bay, then Callander and now Trout Creek. That is what is on our agenda but as with any week, I am sure it will fill up soon. Take care