Yesterday, we were blitzed by a snowstorm that caused congestion, closures, and cancellations throughout the city. Being a native Montrealer, I grew up with the stuff so am unfazed by things like three foot snowdrifts. Unfortunately, however, nine years in Vancouver has made me soft and unprepared for the inclement weather. How unprepared? Well, how about the fact that I own approximately no winter boots to Fondy’s three? “Ah, what the hell,”I figured. We’re leaving town on Tuesday. Between then and now, where the hell am I going to walk to that would require winter footwear? Try the twenty feet between my backdoor and the garage. It was unpleasant to say the least, wading through the hip-deep snow to transfer the garbage to its proper bin. Lulu followed me as far as the porch, sat down, and watched. I forged ahead, finally reached the garage, turned back – and she was gone. “Lulu?!”I called. Her head popped out of snow drift and she glanced around, bewildered, then turned and hopped her way back up the stairs and into the house.
In the garage, I helped myself to our lone shovel which I used to clear a path to our front door. As I was finishing up, I looked over and there was Lawren strolling down the sidewalk toward me. Turns out my street is so bad he didn’t want to risk driving down it so he ended up parking around the corner – where he got subsequently stuck. “I’m going to need you to give me a hand,”he informed me as we headed in.
Once inside, I gave him an overview of the place – security system, t.v. remotes, doggy eye meds. He assured me that he’d be spending most of the holidays indoors, cooking and writing. And, of course, spending quality time with the pooches.
After he left, Fondy and I hopped into the Q7 and went on a grocery run. We pulled in and parked and as I opened my door and stepped out, I put my foot down in a huge slush puddle. I quickly lifted my foot. To my dismay, my shoe stayed put, the surrounding snow caving inward to fill up my Cole Haan like a frosty sundae. I drew small comfort from the fact that my sock was already wet.
They say you shouldn’t shop when you’re hungry and, truth be told, “they” are right. For dinner tonight, I’m having a rib steak, beet salad, couscous, candied carrots, and a tarragon chicken sandwich. While we were there, we also picked up some goodies for Lawren: chicken, bananas, and a bag of cheddar popcorn. There! He’s set for the holidays!
According to reliable sources (a.ka. my writing partner, Paul) it won’t snow for the next 48 hours, meaning we should experience no problems flying out tomorrow – on December 23, only the busiest travel day of the year. Fortunately, I’m packing away some reading material just in case: Terrry Pratchett’s Guards! Guard!, Thomas M. Disch’s 334, Jeffrey Ford’s The Physiognomy, Susanna Clarke’s Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell vol. III, and David Lindsay’s A Voyage to Arcturus.
Which reminds me to remind you that all that January is almost upon us, bringing with it our very first Book of the Month Club discussions of 2009. In the scifi category, we’ll be talking about On Basilisk Station with author David Weber. In the horror category, we’ll be discussing The Living Dead with editor John Joseph Adams. And, in the fantasy category, we’ll be chatting with author Jeff Vandermeer about his City of Saints and Madmen. Check the right sidebar for the dates.
Today’s entry is dedicated to birthday gal Ytimynona.
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