mumma yaga

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 2 bags or teaspoons of tea, black, rooibos, chai, your favorite. 4 or 5 thin slices ginger root. 4 or 5 thin slices of turmeric root. 1 hot chili pepper.  Warm teapot. Add ingredients. Add boiling water. Steep for 4 to 5 minutes. Remove teabags.  Sweeten with honey or agave syrup.  A warm robust tea with healthful ingredients. ***** This morning Fig and I discovered a little stream at the west edge of the meadow, just inside the forest. It has been above zero and the snow is melting. The roof of the house is free of snow now; we heard the snow slabs plopping in the night. It was raining a little and the clouds have come to lie in the valley. And so dark! I lit a candle for comfor...

dec. 11 Here is the morning sky before the sunrise. Last night's dinner was all prepared in the microwave. Veggie burger chopped up with red pepper, red onion, garlic and seasoning was prepared by first cooking the vegetables and then adding the burger and some HP, pepper, salt, and a bit of Frank's hot sauce. That done, I microwaved broccoli spears and then re-heated previously microwaved squash (from Rain's cellar). I have one bowl big enough for the first dish, and cereal bowls for the others. I felt very resourceful! One day my pots will come!  The sky cleared last night and the stars were as bright as I have ever seen them. There were two very bright lights in the east, low on the horizon, twinkling red and green! We thought: alien invasion? military espionage? satellites? but we finally discovered that they were stars! The brighter, more southern one was Capella, the other higher in the sky and farther north might be Sirius. They flash red and green because they are l...

 dec 8  We have arrived safely at the vineyard. We both remembered the hill up to the house being much steeper than it really is! Our brave Forester had no trouble getting us to the door. It had snowed here perhaps five inches and the road up to the house and the driveway were snow-covered. Our waiting time to come here passed at last, October and November and then the countdown from December 1st. That's the cool thing about time. It carries you on, past dreaded dental appointments, past difficult days, through waiting until a special day arrives. Our drive here, Highway 401 to the Quebec border then south to the Estrie, was uneventful and quick. We had enough daylight to bring everything in from the car and go for a walk. Tuesday morning (departure from Toronto) Fig was already waiting in the car while we were having coffee. He knew we were going somewhere and didn't intend to be left behind! He had space on the back seat with his blanket, his favorite stuffed dog and a bone....

K and I have rented this house in the Eastern Townships for the next few months.  Rain sent me this picture on Sunday: the view from the house, now! The building in the photo is an underground building that was, I think, for wine-making. There is a vineyard on the property.  *****  Four years ago this month, I was in Quebec at Elf's home, (she lived an hour north of Montreal then) waiting for the birth of their first child. I spent three weeks with Elf and Iz. The baby was late so I didn't get much time wth him but it was such a pleasure to get to know Iz better and to enjoy their lovely home. If I ventured out to the stores nearby I had to rely on my french to communicate since we were far from the big city. It was fun because the people were generous and laughingly struggled to use their limited english. Elf made an amazing gingerbread train while she waited for the birth. I was honoured to be able to be there and hold Elf's baby in my arms. Happy Birthday, Cricket...

 I'm sure I am not alone in my fascination with tiny things. Miniature candlesticks, dolls, china dogs: you can find a tiny replica of anything you can think of. For many the enchantment of a doll house is an extension of this, the little details that bring it to life. I longed for a "proper" doll house when I was a child and enjoyed endless hours playing with the one I did have, made of tin, do you remember? A proper one would have been made of wood with shingles and glass windows. I thought that I might acquire one for my children but I didn't find it until ten or eleven years ago, too late for my kids but perhaps a grandchild; meanwhile I would enjoy it.  My cousin and I are (except during a pandemic) avid garage-salers. Saturday mornings from May through September we can usually be found on the road, occasionally with a couple of ads from the local paper but most often just following the signs along the main streets in our "catchment" area. We consider t...

I dedicate this post to a dear friend who has just welcomed a new (rescued) dog into his home. A dog is forever an optimist, and even as he ducks a sudden gesture, he will believe in a new life and cleave to a new human with absolute trust, in a very short time. I have seen so many rescue dogs who, never mind the cruelty or pain they suffered before, soon begin to trust and love a new human and commit themselves to a new life of obedience and devotion as is their joy in life. Dec. 4 The streets are covid-quiet and the weather is Toronto Christmas: grey, a wet snow falling, leftover patches of white on the still-green grass. I am transported to Christmas days past. One of the dog-owner's realities is that rain or shine, snow or a cold wind blowing, you have to walk the dog. It is good for you: the fresh air, exercise, and an appreciation of the weather: you begin to know the subtlies of the cold, the varieties of snow, how the wind tempers the day. You learn to dress for the weather...

                                                                                                                      Snow, snow! December the first and a winter storm. An excellent start to the season! How many of you have already cleared the driveway in true Canadian fashion? Shoveling the drive is a sacred ritual for us: I am always amazed and amused at the rush to unbury the cars and put the nasty winter genie back in its bottle. We must like it, the sense of small victory, overcoming nature. Snow-blowers are an even bigger thrill for some: machine against nature, the noise, the power, the gorgeous, even, powdery drifts in contrast to safe black asphalt. *****     Here are the childr...