CANADIAN REGION: What are you doing in February 2018?

Not very much I am afraid.  A couple of days ago we actually had a day free of snow, wind, rain, fog, etc., and I could have gone out into the garden and done some pruning of the bushes.   But I had a couple of appointments so as the very next day we had a large dump of snow.  I seldom Carpe Diem.

I do notice the lengthening of the day light as I take Guthrie out for his evening walk and it is not pitch black by the time we return. Soon I will have to make the decision whether to have my main meal before or after I take him out as I don't like walking straight after eating.

Harbingers of Spring include the seed catalogues and the date for the Peony Show. I am looking forward the the emergence of the peonies given me by one of my neighbours who finally retired from growing them. Unfortunately when delivering them to me, they fell off his truck and he could not remember what colours each of them were.

The weather is so-so here in the British Columbia Southern Interior. Not very cold at the moment, some snow that does not disappear, partly melts then freezes, more snow on top, sometimes heavy deposits then the next hour the sun shines.  Walking is difficult at times for pedestrians as the snow deposits heaped up have frozen and block the walkers. I feel sorry for any chair-bound elder who is confined to the homes.  I have cut some squares of black landscaping cloth to lay on my two 4x4s to warm up the soil a bit early, that is when I can find them under the snow that is there.

I check on the weather in other parts of Canada so at once I stop complaining. Very Happy
Keep warm TD and others in the East of Canada.  A couple of days ago I actually felt the warmth of the sun on my back.

Once New Year's Resolution that I have nearly completed is my income Tax; just waiting for the official forms so that I can send it off.  In past years I had that little home business of selling printer cartridges and just because I had until the middle of June to send of my completed taxes, I only ever managed to creep in under the deadline.  It feels so good that I have beaten one of my long-standing procrastination items.

Well done KJ on all that you do.  Always great to see you on the forum.

Yesterday I could have been outside without a coat. Today we have a windchill around -30C. Yikes, what a change. I'm busy with seed exchanges, planning and winter sowing ( wintersown.org ).

Again, I feel like a slacker when I read all that KJ has achieved. And, TD is starting his winter sowing.

sanderson wrote:Again, I feel like a slacker when I read all that KJ has achieved.  And, TD is starting his winter sowing.

I also feel like a slacker when I read your posts and TDs and everyone else's.
For myself I sometimes feel like a fraud as I think I put myself in too good a light.

Heck no, you're an inspiration!

KJ, I too seldom Carpe Diem!  LOL!

Scorpio Rising wrote:KJ, I too seldom Carpe Diem!  LOL!

I actually did today, Scorpio.  I went gambling in our local casino. My friend took me out to lunch as a thank you for helping to look after her little dog while she was away on a cruise at Christmas, so we went to the local "Chance Casino" place for the meal.  So I took the chance to spend $10 on the slots and came away with $16.

I honestly did not know what I was doing, so many flashing lights and loud music and spinning wheels.  Not a bit like thirty years ago when passing through Las Vegas and using the one-armed bandits which were so much more satisfying.  I think the actual effort of pulling that arm down made it much more real.  At least going there made me realise even more what an unsatisfactory activity it is.  The food was delicious so I will go again for that.

Come to think about this gambling, my gambling started off with 125 free pulls, so I got my ten dollars back plus the six.  Perhaps I will try that again next time as I do have the will to use my free pulls and walk away with my original stake. If that is all I ever do then I must come away with a win or a break even.

trolleydriver wrote:Well done KJ on all that you do.  Always great to see you on the forum.

Yesterday I could have been outside without a coat. Today we have a windchill around -30C. Yikes, what a change. I'm busy with seed exchanges, planning and winter sowing ( wintersown.org ).

I always think of you in Ottawa, TD, especially when it is minus 30C.  A couple of days ago I actually felt the warmth of the sun on my back.

sanderson wrote:Heck no, you're an inspiration!

+1

Kelejan wrote:

sanderson wrote:Again, I feel like a slacker when I read all that KJ has achieved.  And, TD is starting his winter sowing.

I also feel like a slacker when I read your posts and TDs and everyone else's.
For myself I sometimes feel like a fraud as I think I put myself in too good a light.

Me too, Sanderson!

And me too, Kelejan...

  Dentist right now.  Just the usual maintenance.

Not much happening here in British Columbia Southern Interior.  We are lucky to miss most of the snow, rain and deep cold.  The roads are clear except that the sides are heaped with frozen snow that looks so dirty due to the road gravel etc.

Right now, 3:45 am local time, the sky is clear and it is quite parky being -9C. with a slight breeze so that when one turns a corner it is in one's face.  I think we need to wear motor-cycle or space helmets.

Taking my neighbours' dog out every evening I am appreciating the lighter evenings.
Luckily when Guthry has done his business he is quite happy to head for home.  We are looking forward to the warmer weather. He really dislikes cold rain or cold slush.  thank goodness.

NB.  "Parky" (idiomatic" English) means uncomfortably cold, and I must find out how to spell the dog's name.  The reason I am on the computer at this time of the morning is because Pal has woken me because he wants to play.  Grrr!

13th Feb.  The dog's name is Guthrie.

I thought Pal would be a good kitty and not wake you up. Imaging how he has changed from flattened ears to wanting to play.

sanderson wrote:  I thought Pal would be a good kitty and not wake you up.  Imaging how he has changed from flattened ears to wanting to play.

I read somewhere that a cat sleeps 20 hours a day.  The other four he is racing around the house during my sleep hours.  No wonder I need to nap during the day.

A bit more on topic: after a few days of no snow, it is back again.  Tonight we have another Winter Wonderland, today I had the pleasure of walking in shoes instead of boots, tomorrow, the boots will be back on.

Well, the shoes are off and the boots are back on and more snow is on the ground and when daylight comes then it will be a winter wonderland once more.

We did have a few days of very cold weather and the city had time to clear up all the snow-covered side walks and cart the snow away, no doubt to put it into the Columbia River plus many truckloads somewhere near where I live.

It will still be sometime before I can get out into the garden and actually do something.
As usual for me I procrastinated about winter clearing so I will have to do a lot of that before I can really get down to productive work. This coming year I will downsize the number of my beds as last year, what with the  long cold and wet spring, followed by the long and dry hot summer, I got behind with everything and nature did take over somewhat.

Skidmoca  
from your Canadian Host, Kelejan  

I saw your post on "Hi Everone" so this is your official welcome.  Come and see us when you have time.  We will follow your efforts on your thread.  May I suggest renaming it Skidmoca, then you can keep that thread for your own personal progress, just like Trolley Driver and others do.
I just wish I had done the same, but my early posts will be buried in the archives so I should make the effort to look them up and see how far I have come (or not)